AIADMK war: EPS, OPS to meet PM Modi after they decide to dump Sasikala, Dinakaran
Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam have decided to bury their differences to strengthen AIADMK. The two leaders are likely to meet PM Modi before they announce merger of the two factions of the party.
In Short
- EPS, OPS decide to bury their differences.
- Two leaders decided to unite for AIADMK's future.
- EPS, OPS likely to meet PM Modi before announcing merger of two factions.
Will the two warring factions of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK merge? If sources are to be believed they will. Chief Minister E Palaniswami and late J Jayalithaa's trusted aide O Panneerselvam have agreed bury their differences and join hands to keep Sasikala and his nephew TTV Dinakaran away from power in the state.
An announcement regarding merger of the two AIADMK factions may be made soon but before that both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam are likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam are in Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Venkaiah Naidu as Vice-President today.
Reports say that according to the merger plans Panneerselvam is likely to be declared Tamil Nadu's Deputy CM and will be given crucial portfolios like Finance and Public Works Department (PWD).
Earlier in the day, CM Palaniswami challenged the authority of its Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran, nephew of jailed party chief V K Sasikala, a move hailed by the rebel camp as an 'awakening'.
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Despite sources claiming that a merger between the AIADMK factions is on the cards, the Panneerselvam faction is firm on its demands - a probe into the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death and expulsion of Sasikala and her family from AIADMK.
- A meeting presided over by Palaniswami said the appointment of Dhinakaran as deputy general secretary was against party rules.
- Reacting to the development, a defiant Dinakaran later told reporters in Thanjavur that the party was still under his control.
- Dinakaran said his post was a nominated one and the party general secretary could name office-bearers to such posts. He asserted that the appointments he made were valid and in tune with party by-laws.
- He also cited Sasikala naming Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan as party treasurer after the expulsion of incumbent Panneerselvam.
- Dinakaran said the incumbent AIADMK regime was set up by party general secretary VK Sasikala and hence it should not face any threat.
- The Palaniswami camp had in April announced the sidelining of Dinakaran and Sasikala from the party affairs and the state government.
- Dinakaran's appointment was under the scrutiny of the Election Commission, the AIADMK (Amma) led by Palaniswami said.
- To assert his position in the party by returning to active party work after a two-month hiatus after his arrest in a case related to alleged attempt to bribe the Election Commission officials.
- On August 4, Dinakaran had announced appointment of some new office-bearers, considered his loyalists.
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