Chennai: After weeks of chaos and instability, the two factions of Tamil Nadu’s ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) are close to a merger.
While formal discussions are yet to begin, two senior leaders of the AIADMK said chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami may step down to make way for former chief minister O. Panneerselvam.
An AIADMK legislator from the Panneerselvam faction said on the condition of anonymity, “We have said that he (Panneerselvam) should take over as chief minister, as per the wishes of the people and cadre. And, that is how things have shaped up in the last few days. We can expect a positive decision.”
Changes in the cabinet are expected as a result of the merger, the AIADMK member said, ahead of formal discussions beginning Monday. Both factions have formed committees to conduct talks.
Minister of finance and fisheries D. Jayakumar said Sunday: “I’m ready to give up the finance portfolio to Panneerselvam for the welfare of the party.”
After senior ministers under Palaniswami decided to sideline T.T.V.Dinakaran and Sasikala, it seemed like the two camps would come together. But a war of words slowed down the process.
The Panneerselvam camp—AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma)—had last week demanded expulsion of V.K. Sasikala and Dinakaran, and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalitha, who passed away after more than two months of hospitalization in Chennai triggering turmoil in the AIADMK.
In February, Panneerselvam had claimed that the party was in a state of chaos after he was forced by Sasikala to resign as chief minister.
Last month, the Election Commission froze the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the AIADMK ahead of the 12 April R.K. Nagar assembly seat bypoll necessitated by Jayalalithaa’s death. The bypoll has since been cancelled following allegations that money was used to buy votes. A fresh date is yet to be announced by the Commission.