The O Paneerselvam (OPS) camp of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK), today said that there will be no talks on the merger with the Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS) faction, until the party General Secretary V.k. Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran are expelled from the party.

As a pre-condition for talks on the AIADMK merger, the OPS camp also repeatedly demanded for an investigation into the death of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Earlier, it was assumed that both the factions would begin talks on the merger on Monday. But, two events - one on Sunday and the other today, triggered the hardening of stance by the OPS faction. The first where, the state Finance Minister, D Jayakumar, said he would resign and allocate his portfolios to the OPS camp. This clearly indicated that, E Palanisamy would remain the CM in the event of an AIADMK merger, thus scrambling chances of Paneerselvam to become the CM.

The second event, was in the AIADMK official newspaper, Namadhu MGR, which caried an article in today’s edition, stating Sasikala and Dinakaran would be supported by people and party cadre. The OPS camp, in response to both the events, said Sasikala was still in control of the party. Member of OPS negotiations committee and former minister, Munusamy quoted saying, “this proves our doubt that the party is still in their hands.” There is a lot of confusion in the rival camp, with different statements being made. While some members of the EPS camp claimed that a committee had been formed for talks, while others said it was yet to be formed, added Munuswamy.”

The AIADMK (Amma) leaders, were making “irresponsible statements”, like that of the Finance Minister, said Munuswamy. He further quoted “We are not ready to get into the argument on the position for our leader. We have no other demands than the two raised previously. One will be the expulsion of Sasikala, Dinakaran and the other probe into Jayalalithaa’s death. If these are fulfilled, we will participate in the talks unconditionally as all other issues can be thrashed out in talks.”

TN Finance Minister Offers To Resign; Gives Portfolis To OPS Camp

By Supraja