AIADMK rival factions unite, Panneerselvam takes oath as deputy chief minister
Vidyasagar Rao Panneerselvam
Vidyasagar Rao, also the governor of Maharashtra, has left for Chennai
O Panneerselvam has been sworn-in as the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu after the two rival factions of the party announced their merger.
The merger was announced by the leaders of the two factions - one led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami(EPS) and the other led by rebel leader O Panneerselvam (OPS).
O Panneerselvam has also been made theconvenor of the AIADMK and chief minister E Palaniswamy will be the co-convenor, Palaniswamisaid.
He further added that the party's priority will be to get back the two-leaves symbol.
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The two leaders paid tributes at the former chief minister Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach.
Earlier, the leaders of the two factions arrived at the party's head office to announce the merger.
"All demands have been met, we are happy with everything. Heading to party office, expect good news," S Semallai,leader of the OPS faction told ANI.
(Also Read: WATCH - Did Sasikala slip out of jail?)
Party sources said Sunday thatthe merger would be formalised on August 21, considered auspicious on account of "Amavasya".
Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has cancelled all appointments in Maharashtra -of which he is also governor -and will arrive in Chennai todayafternoon, further fuelling speculations of a merger.
Panneerselvam is expected to be number one and chief minister K Palaniswami number two in the party. In the government, Panneerselvam wasexpected to accept the post of deputy chief minister as per the terms agreed upon by both factions.
Panneerselvam is expectedto take oath as the deputy chief ministerat 4pm today. He is also expectedto get the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio.
The AIADMK Amma faction is expected to formally announce the expulsion of itsjailed general secretaryVK Sasikala from the party, a key demand of the OPS faction. The EPS camp had already delegitimised deputy general secretary and Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran, also a precondition for the merger by the rivalfaction.
AIADMK laws currently do not permit the removal of a general secretary by a resolution passed by a committee or group of office bearers.
Party sources say a steering or advisory committee will be formed with representation from the two merging factions to overcome this hurdle.
As per AIADMK constitution, the party general secretary is elected directly by the primary members. The party has around 1.5 crore members.
Earlier today,reports of the merger being stalled surfaced. The AIADMK Amma faction's reluctance to expel Sasikala as party chief and member was cited as a cause in media reports.Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran, recently delegitimised as deputy general secretary by the AIADMK Amma, apparently tried to drive a wedge.
Yesterday, Panneerselvam said the talks on merger with the AIADMK Amma had moved a step forward and a "good" decision would be reached at in a "day or two".
Palaniswami too had said he was confident that "both the factions would merge soon".
"I had informed that the merger talks are already progressing smoothly. It has progressed one more step...A good decision will be attained shortly as desired by you," Panneerselvam had told the press after a meeting with his party functionaries.
In an apparent reference to Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister added, "Our lofty goal in effecting the merger will be to see that the party does not get entangled in the clutches of a family."
"This party will be of the cadres, and it will be safeguarded."
The merger talks gained momentum after Palaniswami on August 17 announced that an inquiry commission would be set up to probe the death of former chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and that her Poes Garden residence would be converted into a memorial -two of the main conditions put forward by the Panneerselvam camp.The OPS camp has also insisted on a serving judge to probe Jayalalithaa's death.
The merger was expected to be finalised on Friday night, but was reportedly delayed because of "ticklish issues" between both camps.
Panneerselvam cleared the air yesterday, saying a positive result was expected in a day or two.
Panneerselvamhad revolted against the leadership of Sasikala in Februarycausing a split in the party.