In the middle of the healthcare crisis brought by the rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has been initiating the political moves to stalemate the opposition parties towards ensuring that he retains the power in the state in the upcoming state legislative elections. 

Although the elections are due to take place next year, our sources say Edappadi Palaniswami has been aiming to roll out the elections by December 2020 with the view of hitting the campaign trail with the current reputation earned through the fight against the spread of the global pandemic. Recently, the Chief Minister has held discussions concerning the developments with the Central powers - Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 

According to our sources, Prime Minister Modi has dialed directly to Edappadi Palaniswami on April 19th during which the duo had discussed the preventive measures taken in the state to contain the spread of the virus. Modi has asked the Chief Minister to constrain from getting into controversies - that were erupted against the procurement of protective mechanisms. Edappadi Palaniswami maintained that the state government has been staying vigil over combating the virus. However, he claimed that DMK has been acting against the government for its political gains. 

Prime Minister Modi, whose party has strongly been vying to enhance the political base in Tamil Nadu, has asked the Chief Minister to pacify various inter-party factions as one party so that it can defeat DMK in the elections. Modi has advised Palaniswami to induct Sasikala in the party after her acquittal from the prison. In response, Palaniswami had taken the notion but didn't give any assurance on inducting Sasikala.

Our sources reveal that through Modi's call, Edappadi Palaniswami has learned that Sasikala would be released from prison soon. Following Modi's call, he directly reached to Home Minister Amit Shah and held a discussion about what he was informed by Modi. Taking a jibe on Sasikala's release, Edappadi Palaniswami has sought assurance from Amit Shah towards conduct legislative assembly elections by December 2020 so that he can retain the power in the state by converting the prevailing reputation into votes. 

Edappadi Palaniswami asserted to the Home Minister that Sasikala's release won't bother him if he becomes Chief Minister again after sweeping the majority of seats in the elections. As far as BJP is concerned, the Central ruling party has always been hoping to enhance its base in Tamil Nadu. 

Despite having no MLAs in the state assembly, BJP has been aiming to cement the base through the state ruling ADMK party as the duo observes close ties. With accord to that, Amit Shah has neither denied nor given any assurance over Edappadi Palaniswami's move to conduct elections in December 2020. It has now sparked speculations on whether Tamil Nadu goes for early elections and on how strong the ruling party is  prepared, amid the controversies, to face the elections with having no surety when the ongoing crisis will come to an end.