The ongoing power struggle between the unified factions of the AIADMK under Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and the camp led by TTV Dhinakaran, has proven to be an unexpected hurdle for the upcoming Thevar Jayanthi celebrations to mark the birth and death anniversary of Thevar leader Pasumpon Muthuramalingam.
The Madurai branch of the Bank of India declined to hand over a golden armour donated by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to commemorate the leader, after raising queries on which the real AIADMK was, reports ToI. According to reports, this decision of the bank was a result of the dispute over the symbol and the very name 'AIADMK' between the two camps of the party.
The armour which weighs 13 kg was reportedly donated to the memorial in 2014. The AIADMK's treasurer and the memorial in-charge are joint signatories to the safe the armour is stored.
The post of treasurer was earlier held by O Paneerselvam who was ousted by VK Sasikala following his rebellion in February. He then wrote to the Karur Vysya Bank and Bank of India with which the party holds major accounts and asked them to not let anyone else operate the accounts. Following this the EPS and OPS faction began a tussle over the election symbol and party name with the Election Commission, a fight which is yet to be resolved as TTV Dhinakaran formed another faction within the party.
This event that is supposed to be held from October 28 to October 31 is particularly important to the AIADMK, as it will emphasise on the goodwill they possess for the Thevar community, which is an important and faithful segment of voters for the party.