AIADMK factions inch closer to merger; Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswamy calls meet

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Aug 10, 2017: The bitter power struggle in Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK, which began after the death of party supremo J Jayalalithaa, may end soon as the two warring factions have inched closer to a merger.

According to Hindustan Times, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswamy is believed to be in favour of a merger which, he feels, will further strengthen the party.

A merger of the two factions of the AIADMK will further sideline the ruling party’s jailed general secretary VK Sasikala and her family.

After former chef minister J Jayalalithaa’s death in December last year, her long-time aide VK Sasikala took over the reins of the party.

She soon became the AIADMK general secretary and was just a step away from becoming the chief minister before she landed in troubled waters in connection with a corruption case that landed her in jail.

Sasikala then appointed her nephew, TTV Dinakaran, as the deputy general secretary to maintain her grip over the party.

Dinakaran, who too faces corruption charges, has been attempting to push chief minister Palaniswamy to the edge by planting office-bearers loyal to him.

According to sources close to the two factions, Dinakaran’s action has probably accelerated the merger moves between Palaniswamy group and the faction led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam.

Importantly, Palaniswamy has called a meeting of his faction today to discuss the unification issue.

According to the insiders, OPS will remain the interim general secretary of the AIADMK till the Election Commission decides the validity of Sasikala’s appointment as the party chief.

Palaniswamy, who replaced OPS after his revolt, will continue to be the chief minister.

If the proposal gets a go-ahead from the senior leaders of the two factions, Palaniswamy is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Importantly, Palaniswamy is also scheduled to visit New Delhi to attend the swearing-in of vice president-elect M Venkaiah Naidu this evening.

Panneerselvam, who wants at least three ministerial berths to lawmakers loyal to him, is firm in his stand that Sasikala and her family must be kept out of the party and government.

The merger will happen only if conditions set by OPS are met.

Courtesy: Zeenews