Palaniswami: lone star of the AIADMK poll campaign

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami does not have a glamour quotient like his predecessors M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, or even the founder of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), C. Joseph Vijay. Neither does he possess the famed oratorical skills of former Chief Minister and Dravidian doyen M. Karunanidhi.

Yet, ever since Mr. Palaniswami occupied the seat of Chief Minister and became the driving force of his party in February 2017, he has become known for his conviction and the effective articulation of his views. He often addresses people and the press without any script or teleprompter, only consulting notes as needed, as he did on Wenesday (April 8), while campaigning in Chennai.