AIADMK crisis: Merger of factions faces tough hurdles

It seems that the merger of two AIADMK warring factions in Tamil Nadu could be dragged after the rebel camp led by O Panneerselvam on Thursday toughen its stand by asserting that talks with regard to reunion will be held only if the rival group headed by chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami officially sacks jailed V K Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran from the party.

Similarly, Panneerselvam faction also made it clear that the present Edappadi Palaniswami's government should give its recommendation to the Centre for a thorough CBI probe into the "mysterious" death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

"First, they (Palaniswami group) should get the resignation letter from them (Sasikala and Dhinakaran). Then, they should officially dismiss them through a party communique", former minister K P Munusamy, who is in Panneerselvam's camp said.

Munusamy said Edappadi group should sack both of them from the party the same way done by late Jayalalithaa by also using the same terms that ''they were expelled for anti-party activities and the party functionaries should not have any contacts with them''.

He also accused finance minister D Jayakumar for not disclosing the name of Sasikala when he announced the ouster of Dhinakaran and his family members from the party on Tuesday night. "Why he did not spell Sasikala's name while announcing the removal of Dhinakaran from the party", he questioned.

Making much more tougher task for the rival group, Munusamy said said the rival group should also withdraw the affidavit from the Election Commission (EC), which had endorsed Sasikala as AIADMK general secretary and Dhinakaran as party's deputy general secretary.

"In addition, the Edappadi government should also send its recommendation to the Centre for a thorough CBI probe into the mysterious death of "Amma" (Jayalalithaa)", he said adding that "If they do not accept our demands, there is no possibility of talks".

Reacting to Panneerselvam camp's assertive demands, Edappadi group said that it has not put any conditions for the talks and only Panneerselvam's side have done that.

"We have formed a committee, which has not put any demands for the talks. What we want is..the talks should carry on without any hurdles",  Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam, who is in the Edappadi group said.   

With regard to dismissing Sasikala from the party, he said already Dhinkaran and his family members was totally sidelined and there is not question of sacking each of his family members separately.

On withdrawal of the affidavit filed before the EC endorsing Sasikala and Dhinakaran as the general Secretary and deputy general secretary of the party respectively, Vaithilingam, who is accompanied by several ministers, said it is fair that both the groups should approach the Commission for doing the work after the talks.
 
Referring to the Pannerselvam's another demand for a CBI probe into Jayalalithaa's death, he said the matter was subjudice as a petion is pending before Madras High Court.