What EPS's Hold Over AIADMK Says About Tamil Nadu's Caste Politics By helming a front that bagged nearly 40% of the votes polled, the AIADMK has shown that it was no spent force and has a possible future if it plays its cards right. Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Photo: PTI Politics12/May/2021 Chennai: On Monday, the AIADMK decided that former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) will be the leader of the opposition in the assembly that will convene on May 12. His rival and partner in leadership, O. Panneerselvam, sought to weigh in but the overwhelming majority of the partyâs 66 MLAs favoured EPS.