Is merger of AIADMK factions on the cards?

CHENNAI: Things are not looking good at all for jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, with her nephew TTV Dinakaran being booked for a bribery scandal by Delhi police.

This incident only accelerated and accentuated revolt against the duo from their followers, who have asked them step aside and make way for merger of the two factions.

The bribery charge against Dinakaran, after allegations of misuse of money power in RK Nagar bypolls, and the IT raids can scare more MLAs and leaders to join the chorus against the Sasikala clan, a senior party leader admitted.

Already there is a move within the ruling AIADMK (Amma) faction to eject Sasikala and her family from the party and effect a merger of the factions. The other faction is led by former CM O Panneerselvam, who on Monday for the first time invited all party leaders to join hands.

Panneerselvam told media persons before leaving for Madurai that “we have differences of opinion, which can be narrowed down. There has been no split as such (in the AIADMK) and anyone wanting to work together is welcome.” OPS statement was welcomed by Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambi Duari who also echoed similar sentiments.

The Lok Sabha deputy speaker was closeted with chief minister Edapaddi Palaniswami and senior ministers at the secretariat discussing the fall-out of the raids and bribery allegations against Dinakaran. After the meeting, CM Palaniswami summoned all MLAs to be present in Chennai on Tuesday, fuelling speculations of an impending political development.

Sources said Dinakaran and Sasikala have been given time till Tuesday to decide whether they would stop meddling in party affairs. While Sasikala is general secretary of AIADMK (Amma), Dinakran is deputy general secretary.