The ongoing rupture in the AIADMK definitely means an advantage to the BJP The Saffron party has been hoping to make a breakthrough in TN for many years now. Between OPS and Sasikala, the BJP will surely prefer the former over the latter.
While Karnataka is termed as the BJP's gateway to South India, further down, Tamil Nadu remains a dead end for the lotus party. And mayhem in the AIADMK could mean a breakthrough into the state.
This is certainly the sentiment of many whom one meets in Chennai, who feel there has been strong Central engagement in the ongoing crisis in Tamil Nadu.
Between VK Sasikala, the AIADMK General Secretary and Jaya confidante, and O Panneerselvam (OPS), the former AIADMK CM and Jaya loyalist, the BJP is commonly believed to be leaning towards OPS.
Sasikala's ongoing disproportionate assets case, currently in the Supreme Court, also makes it hard for any outside entity to back her wholeheartedly. The BJP cannot side with a person accused of corruption, especially when it wants to take the first step into the territory.
Plus, perhaps it would be natural for the BJP to skirt around the fiery Chinamma, who has proven that she can be as ruthless as Amma herself. A more mild O Panneerselvam is a safer bet since he is a man who was literally 'used' several times during crisis' in TN.
And the support can be mutual. The BJP needs OPS as much as the caretaker CM needs saffron support for his rapidly cooling revolt. After all, OPS mutely digested everything, from Jaya's death to Chinamma's elevation. Why has he decided to suddenly question everything?
Clearly, OPS feels he has some strong support, both in the state and, even possibly from beyond.
