AIADMK focus now shifts to Delhi

After a high political drama within the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, the focus now has shifted to New Delhi.

Senior leaders of the party are camping in the national capital for a possible meeting with the Election Commission officials to retrieve the party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and the name.

AIADMK sources on Monday said since Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam are busy with state affairs, senior ministers D Jayakumar, C Ve Shanmugam, P Thangamani and Rajya Sabha member V Maithreyan are expected to submit a letter to the poll panel on formal withdrawal of their earlier affidavits, besides announcing their merger.

The members of the Dhinakaran camp, too, are in New Delhi. They filed a petition with the EC stating that their views have to be ascertained before taking any decision on the party’s symbol.

The visit of the Tamil Nadu ministers to Delhi a day after announcing the dates for the party general council meeting assumed significance considering that the government headed by Palaniswami has fallen short of a simple majority after 19 MLAs supporting Dhinakaran met the Governor and withdrew support, leading to growing demands for him to seek a floor test to prove majority.

Meanwhile, with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao yet to take a decision on their letter withdrawing support, rebel MLAs are planning to meet the President.