AIADMK factions likely to merge today, OPS may be named deputy CM

Chennai: Politics in Tamil Nadu is expected to take a new turn on Monday noon as there are talks that both All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) factions will put a formal seal to the merger after the meeting.

There are talks that Panneerselvam will be made the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

The two rival AIADMK factions, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and rebel leader O Panneerselvam on Saturday expressed confidence it will happen soon with the latter saying a positive result was expected in "a day or two."

Palanisamy, on Saturday said he was confident that "both the factions would merge soon".

The Palanisamy faction of the AIADMK also looks set to sack VK Sasikala as general secretary of the party.

The Chief Minister has summoned all senior ministers and office-bearers on Monday for discussions. 

At the meeting, the office-bearers will in all probability pass a resolution announcing Sasikala’s sacking from the post of General Secretary and her expulsion from the AIADMK, sources told Deccan Chronicle.

Sources said if the announcement of Sasikala’s sacking from the party is made then the merger would take place almost immediately since it is a major demand of former chief minister O Panneerselvam.

His other major demand for instituting an inquiry into J Jayalalithaa’s death was met by Palanisamy last Thursday, the sources pointed out.

Party sources also said once the resolution is passed at the meeting of office-bearers on Monday morning, the leaders of the two factions would either meet at the AIADMK headquarters on the Avvai Shanmugam Salai or at the Jayalalithaa Memorial on the Marina Beach.

“The demand for sacking of Sasikala from the post of General Secretary has been accepted by the Chief Minister's camp. The EPS camp overcame differences within and accepted the demand after much deliberation,” a senior leader told Deccan Chronicle. 

The merger, which was to happen on Friday, did not take place over differences within the OPS camp on the Sasikala question.

Leaders like V Maitreyan, KP Munusamy and Manoj Pandian had told Panneerselvam that he should not agree for a merger unless Sasikala is removed from her post and the party.

The meeting on Monday is also expected to discuss Sasikala's expulsion from the party.

Sasikala, a close aide of late J Jayalalithaa, was appointed as General Secretary of the AIADMK by the General Council on December 29, 2016. However, Panneerselvam challenged the decision in the Election Commission in February 2017 following his rebellion against Sasikala.

As the merger appears imminent, leaders from both factions expressed hope that the unification will happen at the earliest. While Panneerselvam said the talks have moved a step forward and a good decision would be reached shortly.

Finance Minister D Jayakumar and School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan from the EPS camp said the ‘good decision’ to the liking of the cadres and people would be announced soon.

According to the compromise arrived at between the two factions, Palanisamy would continue to head the AIADMK Government with Panneerselvam joining the administration as his deputy.

In the party, Panneerselvam would head the seven-member Governing Council with Palanisamy serving as his deputy.

On Friday, several AIADMK MLAs and supporters of both the factions had congregated at the burial place of Jayalalithaa at Marina beach in Chennai on speculations the merger will be announced.

However, merger talks remained inconclusive leading to a delay in the rival factions' coming together.

Police personnel were deployed in a large number at the memorial with members of the public who wanted to offer their respects to Jayalalithaa being prevented from entering the burial site.

Two special wreaths were also kept ready apparently to enable Palanisamy and Panneerselvam to offer their respects at the burial site.

After it became clear that the merger talks would be deferred, the wreaths were removed and the public was allowed to enter the burial site later.