A day after the ruling AIADMK faction, led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, asserted that they were firm on the decision to sideline V K Sasikala and her relatives from the party, more than 15 MLAs met TTV Dhinakaran on Tuesday and extended their support to him.
The MLAs, who met Dinakaran, includes former ministers Senthil Balaji and Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam. Legislators meeting Dhinakaran assumes significant as it was held a day after Finance Minister D Jayakumar from Edappadi group asserted his party cadres including senior functionaries will not meet the former.
When asked about the meeting, Jayakumar claimed that his party MLAs met Dinakaran for personal reasons. "It (meeting) is not connected to politics. It was personal meeting", Jayakumar said. The minister also claimed that Edappadi Palaniswami still has the majority in the house. "Amma (Jayalalithaa) rule will continue for the full term", Jayakumar said.
However, former AIADMK MLA V P Kalairajan said he and his party MLAs met Dinakaran to discuss party affairs. The former legislator also asserted that Dhinakaran continues to be the AIADMK deputy general secretary.
Dhinakaran, who was granted bail by a Delhi court on Friday, reached Chennai. He was arrested last month for allegedly attempted to bribe officials of the election commission to obtain 'two leaves' symbol for AIADMK (Amma) faction.
Amid confusion among the Edappadi group, the other AIADMK faction led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam still insisting that merger of both teams is possible only if Sasikala and Dhinakaran were removed from the party officially.
Published 06 June 2017, 14:39 IST