Despite the OPS faction of the AIADMK demanding a CBI investigation before considering any parley, Chief Minister K Palaniswami is optimistic that the two factions will begin merger talks soon. Photo credit: PTI.
The merger talks between two AIADMK warring factions in Tamil Nadu is expected to be further delayed as the rebel leader and former chief minister O Panneerselvam on Monday decided to tour the State for seeking opinion from the cadres with regard to the re-union with the rebel group, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Sources from Panneerselvam camp told Deccan Herald that the former chief minister is likely to start his tour from Kancheepuram district on May 5. "Our leader will tour across the state to seek cadre's view on the merger talks", a senior leader from Panneerselvam's camp said.
Though the rebel group openly welcomed the removal of the jailed V K Sasikala's portraits and cutouts from the party headquarters on recently, which was one of its demand for merger talks, Panneerselvam's tour surprised several leaders in Edappadi group.
Municipal administration minister S P Velumani, who is in Edappadi team, said that solution will be arrived only if the leaders of the two factions sit and talk. "Each and every cadre in AIADMK wants the merger of both factions", he told reporters at Coimbatore airport.
"The case related to party's "Two Leaves" election symbol will be withdrawn once the merger between the group takes place", Velumani said. Echoing similar views, deputy assembly speaker Pollachi Jayaraman said that both the AIADMK group will merge very soon. "It is just question of time", he added.