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Tamil Nadu : Paneerselvam sticks for Saskala's ouster for AIADMK mersger

by IBNS 18 Apr 2017, 08:50 am

Chennai, Apr 18 (IBNS) : After months of bitter feud and separation following the death of AIADMK chif J Jayalalithaa, the rival factions of the ruling party are in the process of reconciliation aiming for merger with the group led by O Paneerselvam sticking for ouster of V Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran, media reports said.

The O Panneerselvam camp took to Twitter to express its willingness to hold talks with the AIADMK (Amma) faction. "The AIADMK (Amma) faction has constituted a team to hold talks. We are ready to hold consultations with that team if it meets us," the twitter handle, @OfficeofOPS, said. 

On the other hand, the  AIADMK (Amma) faction announced constitution of a team to hold talks with the rival OPS camp on  the issue of a possible patch up. 

Senior leader in the VK Sasikala faction and Cooperation Minister, Sellur K Raju, said Chief Minister K Palaniswami has constituted a team of "senior ministers" for the purpose.


According to reports, though both the factions are more or less eager for a patch up, the OPS camp has  put its foot down for the ouster of Sasikala, the jailed Secretary General of the party, whose ascent following Jayalalithaa's death triggered a vicious factional war.

Sasikala, despite being in jail, has kept  has retained control by installing his protege E Palanisami  and her nephew, TTV Dinakaran, as party no 2. 

Dinakaran has recently been booked by Delhi police allegedly for trying to bribe officials of the Election Commission.

Though Sasikala's group has about 120 legislators to form the dominant camp within the party, what has weakened her position is the banner of revolt held by a number of ministers. The ministers, all belonging to the Sasikala camp, feel that the corruption charges levelled against Dinakaran is harming the party.

Under this circumstances, attempts are on to find a formula to forge a reconciliation which may require both the factions to cede some grounds.

According to NDTV, what has to be worked out is whether E Palaniswami, a close aide of Sasikala, will remain Chief Minister, if a merger takes places, and if  Panneerselvam will get a top post - like party chief and what is done at the cost of what.