When a power expands beyond the influence of the individual that started it, it is no longer a power, but a superpower. The supporters support the idea at that point, not the person, and as such, the person no longer directly matters.
I think what is being suggested is that the powerplay power is rather just empire supporters of the establishment, no more, no less. It's not about supporting the emperor, but rather the empire.
At least that's how one would spin it if they didn't want to cry inside at the state of powerplay for a little while.