AIADMK merger talks likely to begin in two days

With merger talks coming up in a day or two, the two factions of the erstwhile AIADMK are ready with their demands.

They will mainly contend for the posts of chief minister and party general secretary, sources said.

Though the factions did not officially announce a date, party sources from both sides said their seven-member committees are likely to meet on Sunday or Monday.

The AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma team, constituted by O Panneerselvam, will be led by former minister K P Munusamy. The committee constituted by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s AIADMK (Amma) will be headed by Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam.

Panneerselvam’s team is expected to ask for the two coveted posts, while the rival camp is likely to settle for a new deputy chief minister’s post.

On Saturday, Panneerselvam said his committee would soon announce the date of the meeting. “I am sure about a positive outcome,” he said. However, he refused to disclose conditions his camp would put forward during the meeting. “It will not be appropriate to discuss this with the media now,” he said.