AIADMK factions merge | Sasikala to be dismissed from the party

Chennai: Taking the most decisive step in the merger of the two factions of the AIADMK that had split after J. Jayalalithaa died the senior leaders have decided to dismiss Sasikala from the party.

Another major decision taken by the party authorities was the appointment of O. Panneerselvam as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. AIADMK, on Monday, decided that Panneerselvam should be the Deputy CM of the and Sasikala to be dismissed from the party.

A Raj Bhavan announcement also said that former Minister K. Pandiarajan will be sworn in as Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture.

The statement said Panneerselvam would be designated the Deputy Chief Minister and allocated the Finance portfolio.

The two factions of the AIADMK got merged, on Monday, six months after they split following the death of then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Former Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam was made the Coordinator of the merged AIADMK. Chief Minister K. Palaniswami will be the Joint Coordinator, the Chief Minister announced at a brief function at the party headquarters here while announcing the merger.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswamy and his predecessor O. Panneerselvam reached the AIADMK headquarters here, amid hectic parleys, to sort out the last-minute differences that were delaying the merger.

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Earlier, two senior ministers and a senior MP who are supporters of the Chief Minister went to Panneerselvam's residence on Monday with a draft of the deal worked out between the two sides.

Panneerselvam was received enthusiastically at the party headquarters by AIADMK cadres who presented him stoles and bouquets. It was his first visit to the office after six months.

Hundreds celebrated the occasion by bursting firecrackers.

Panneerselvam was accompanied by his faction leaders including K.P. Munuswamy and K. Pandiarajan.

Before his arrival, Chief Minister Palaniswamy held discussions with his colleagues including ministers K.A. Sengottaiyan and D. Jayakumar.

There are indications that the two leaders may come out with a joint statement soon.

Panneerselvam has demanded the expulsion of the now jailed Jayalalithaa aide V.K. Sasikala before a merger takes place.

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Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao arrived here on Monday afternoon for a possible swearing in ceremony in which Panneerselvam and some of his faction leaders may be sworn in as ministers.

Panneerselvam, who was thrice Chief Minister, may get the Deputy Chief Minister's post.

Meanwhile, the faction headed by T.T.V. Dinakaran, Sasikala's nephew, has warned against his own and Sasikala's sacking as Deputy General Secretary and General Secretary of the AIADMK. Dinakaran is said to enjoy the support of a dozen MLAs.