CHENNAI: The fight for MGR's legacy is set to intensify with Edappadi K Palaniswami-led faction fanning out across the state to oversee MGR's birth centenary celebrations beginning Friday in Madurai. While OPS has confined his meetings to a few districts so far, especially in regions where his associates enjoy clout, EPS has put out a schedule to include all districts.The celebrations will culminate in Chennai in January 2018, with PM Narendra Modi likely to be chief guest. Seen as an attempt to assert his leadership, both within the party and government, EPS will spearhead the programme in his capacity as chief minister. Having distanced himself from the Sasikala clan, Palaniswami is compelled to prove his mettle. With Madurai being the venue for the launch programme, supporters have chalked out a strategy to bring in thousands of cadres to Amma Thidal off Madurai Ring Road.Rebel leader O Panneerselvam hails from nearby Theni. "Annan Palaniswami has the blessings of MGR and Amma (Jayalalithaa). Holding the centenary celebrations under his leadership will bring him good name," minister R B Udayakumar said. The faction is faced with the challenge of mopping up support among cadres, whose morale has been rather low in the wake if the factional feud within the party. In the midst of TTV Dhinakaran camp fighting to take over the party, the fight is on to channel MGR's legacy. The celebrations come four months after MGR's birth anniversary on January 17.But, the OPS faction is skeptical. "They are trying to show their strength with government funds. Neither do they enjoy the support of cadres, nor the public. They are still not able to free themselves from the clutches of the Sasikala family. Only Panneerselvam is the true heir of MGR and Amma legacy," said S Semmalai , a former minister and OPS supporter. The OPS camp has plans to hold a massive rally to commemorate MGR birth centenary in Chennai in October. The rallies held so far in seven districts, helped OPS get 3.8 lakh affidavits from cadres favouring his leadership, while EPS got 6.8 lakh affidavits signed to reclaim AIADMK 's two leaves symbol and party name."OPS is finding it hard to maintain his media-hyped aura. The occasion (MGR centenary) has come in handy to compete with EPS, who is leveraging power to lay claim to the founder leader's memory," said R Kannan, biographer of recently published MGR: A Life. While they might rally their supporters and showcase their respective strengths, it would be surprising if the AIADMK men and women of MGR's time would accept them as legatees of his politics, said Kannan.

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