Decks are cleared for the merger of two factions in AIADMK — one led by Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and the other led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam — on Monday, party officials told IANS on Monday. They also said following the formal announcement of merger, the cabinet may be reshuffled inducting Panneerselvam as the deputy chief minister and some of his faction members. Governor CV Rao (holding additional charge in Tamil Nadu) is expected to be here for the swearing-in. Prior to the merger announcement, the Palaniswamy faction was expected to pass a resolution against AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala. As per AIADMK party byelaws, the General Secretary cannot be removed by a resolution passed by a committee or group of office bearers. [caption id=“attachment_3955289” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file image of Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy in Chennai. PTI[/caption] According to insiders, in order to overcome this hurdle and also to carry out the party affairs, a steering or advisory committee would be formed with representation from the two merging factions. The decisions of the advisory committee has to be ratified at the general council meeting, said an AIADMK leader. According to party insiders, one of the moves that is being contemplated is to abolish the post of General Secretary on the pretext that late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa will be the party’s permanent General Secretary. This would be done by amending the party byelaws. But the main question is can the by-law be amended to take away the only power that a primary member enjoys? As per AIADMK constitution, the party General Secretary is elected directly by the primary members. The party has around 1.5 crore members. “It is a legal question that has to be deliberated in detail,” C Ponnaian, former finance minister and part of Panneerselvam faction told IANS on Sunday. One of the basic condition laid down by the Panneerselvam camp for merger is that AIADMK should dismiss Sasikala and her family members from the party. The Palaniswamy faction had declared the appointment of TTV Dinakaran, Sasikala’s nephew, as deputy general secretary as “improper, unacceptable and invalid”. This was challenged by Dinakaran. Meanwhile following the merger of two factions, the Panneerselvam-Palaniswamy faction may get back the party’s popular “two leaves” symbol which has been frozen by the Election Commission. “As regards party affairs, Panneerselvam will be the number one and Palaniswamy number two. In the government, Panneerselvam in most probability will be the deputy chief minister,” the leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity. “There will be couple of ministerial berths for legislators from our group,” he added. This is the contour of the merger plan the two factions in the AIADMK have agreed upon. The leader also said the government can look into the possibility of reviving the Legislative Council or Upper House of the assembly to accommodate members in the party without showing the door for those now holding posts. The Upper House in Tamil Nadu was abolished by AIADMK founder and late chief minister MG Ramachandran in 1986. Attempts to revive it by a DMK government were cancelled when the AIADMK came back to power.
AIADMK merger highlights: Sasikala faction makes dramatic come back, 18 MLAs may pull out from govt
Decks are cleared for the merger of two factions in AIADMK — one led by Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and the other led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam — on Monday, party officials told IANS on Monday.
 "AIADMK merger highlights: Sasikala faction makes dramatic come back, 18 MLAs may pull out from govt")
16 MLAs considered close to TTV Dhinakaran may be moved to ‘secret resort’
#BREAKING -- 16 AIADMK MLAs may be moved to a resort outside Chennai; Dinakaran sends 16 MLAs outside Chennai pic.twitter.com/KqjlrrikSF
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 22, 2017
Acc. to by law they don't have rights to do this, everything happening in party HQ is forgery: P.Vetriivel, TTV Dinakaran camp #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/JS1lKEYiSI
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Sasikala faction makes dramatic come back, likely to spell trouble for newly merged AIADMK
Eighteen MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran and Sasikala faction have reignited the political debate in Tamil Nadu, just when the dust was starting to settle on the high-decibel AIADMK merger.
The MLAs visited the Amma memorial, which has recently become the stage-setter for all political drama in the state, and sat in meditation. They also raised pro-Sasikala slogans, while announcing that they will meet the governor tomorrow at 10.00 am.
Now 18 happens to be the exact number needed to topple the AIADMK government in the 235-member Assembly. All that the Dinakaran camp has to do is submit a no-confidence resolution to the governor. However, Dinakaran’s supporters have refrained from spelling out the agenda of the meeting. This could only be a warning call, a show of strength by the Mannargudi clan to remind Palaniswamy, what is at stake if he chooses to go ahead with Sasikala’s ouster.
TTV Dinakaran postpones media address to 23 August citing health reasons
To media friends...as I have sore throat and fever, doctor has advised me rest. Will meet you all on Aug 23rd.
— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) August 21, 2017
TTV Dinakaran supporters to meet Tamil Nadu governor tomorrow
TN Governor has given us appointment at 10 am tomorrow. We'll discuss the issue with him: P Vetrivel (TTV Dinakaran supporter) #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/rEDY3qNCeW
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
MLAs backing Dinakaran visit Jayalalithaa’s memorial, raise pro-Sasikala slogans
Chennai: MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran pay tributes to former CM Jayalalithaa at her Marina Beach memorial #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/NVmayq7o7t
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Merger of AIADMK factions won’t benefit people: Kanimozhi
The merger of two AIADMK factions would in no way be beneficial to the people of Tamil Nadu, DMK MP and the party’s women’s wing leader Kanimozhi said on Monday. Moreover, the people had not voted for these leaders and the continuation of the government itself was doubtful, she said.
CPM says BJP hand behind ‘opportunistic’ AIADMK merger
CPM politburo member Prakash Karat today termed the merger of AIADMK factions as opportunistic and alleged that the BJP was behind it.
“The opportunistic decision by the two factions, at the behest of BJP. will be rejected by the people of Tamil Nadu,” he told reporters at the airport in Chennai.
The CPM leader said that joining hands with ‘communal forces’ like BJP will be dangerous to AIADMK and also the people of Tamil Nadu, “who will totally reject this opportunism.”
Merger brought tremendous joy to lakhs of party workers: OPS
Merger brought tremendous joy to lakhs of party followers. I share the same joy: OPS after taking charge as Dy CM & Minister #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/HTqKkcSFjN
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Revolts, split and union, a timeline of developments in party since Jayalalithaa’s death
Since the demise of former AIADMK supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December last year, Tamil Nadu’s political scenario has witnessed unprecedented drama. Following is the chronology of major events in the southern state’s ruling party. The state has seen it all — revolt, conviction in a graft case of Jayalalithaa’s aide and her successor to the party post VK Sasikala, split in the party, cancellation of bypoll to RK Nagar seat held by the late CM, sidelining of party deputy chief TTV Dinakaran and the eventual merger on Monday.
Click here to read morePost AIADMK merger, is there an NDA reunion on the cards?
The AIADMK, which has been a part of the National Democratic Alliance in the past too, is likely to join the NDA soon. CNN-News 18 sources report that the party is likely to get two Minister of State cabinet berths in the Central government if it goes ahead to join the BJP-led alliance.
Chennai: O Panneerselvam takes charge as deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/a69NubelRK
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Modi congratulates OPS, EPS on AIADMK merger
I congratulate Thiru O Panneerselvam & others who took oath today. I hope Tamil Nadu scales newer heights of progress in the years to come.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2017
Centre assures all possible support to CM Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami & Dy CM Thiru O Panneerselvam for the growth of TN. @OfficeOfOPS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2017
AIADMK merger a ploy to fool people of Tamil Nadu: Sasikala camp
It's an act of making fool of people&party cadre.Been saying that this govt is most corrupt: V Pugalendi, TTV Dinakaran & Sasikala faction pic.twitter.com/BBT68mN4aE
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Golden period for AIADMK: D Raja
Golden day in the history of AIADMK. All cadres and leaders are happy. No disappointment for me: D Jayakumar #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/IrtouPjJaL
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
AIADMK to meet to sack Sasikala as party chief
The AIADMK General Council will be convened to expel Sasikala as General Secretary, a senior leader owing allegiance to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said on Monday.
Former minister and party veteran C Ponnaiyan also expressed confidence that the AIADMK government would run its full course of five years and no MLA would take part in any attempt at toppling it.
“There was no provision for Sasikala’s appointment as General Secretary because election to that post can be done only by the primary members of the party. The General Council, which appointed her, will be convened to remove her from the post,” he told reporters.
He said under the AIADMK constitution whenever there is a vacancy to the post of General Secretary, the duties and responsibilities of General Secretary will be performed by an Executive Council.
Demands for Sasikala’s ouster grow strong moments after AIADMK reunion
General body meeting must be immediately convened and the secretary must be removed: KP Munusamy #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/Fo31saj4EJ
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
What will the new Tamil Nadu cabinet look like?
Deputy Chief Minister Panneerselvam has been allocated the finance portfolio which was previously held by D Jayakumar. According to The Times of India, the former chief minister will also take charge of Housing, Rural Housing and Housing Development, Slum Clearance Board and Accommodation Control, Town Planning, Urban Development and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority ministries that were held by Udumalai K Radhakrishnan.
Panneerselvam’s key aide, Pandiarajan will get the Tamil Official Language & Tamil Culture ministry that was previously held by Sevvoor S Ramachandran. He will take charge of the Ministry of Archaeology from K A Sengottaiyan.
Chennai: O. Panneerselvam swears-in as Deputy CM at Raj bhawan pic.twitter.com/GxuFpw0Pcc
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Watch: EPS, OPS pay tribute at Jaya memorial
#WATCH CM E Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam paid tributes to former CM Jayalalithaa at her Marina Beach memorial #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/ktP79pBoNg
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Tamil Nadu cabinet expansion likely after OPS swearing-in
The AIADMK-led cabinet in Tamil Nadu is likely to be expanded after O Panneerselvam is sworn in as the Deputy CM of the state this evening. Media reports suggest that three Panneerselvam supporters will also get ministerial berths in the cabinet expansion as part of the merger formula.
We are like brothers and no one can seperate us: OPS after AIADMK merger
“The burden in my heart is gone,” Panneerselvam said adding “none can separate us, we are children of Amma (late chief minister Jayalalithaa), we are brothers.”
He said the merger was not only the desire of Tamil Nadu people, but also of the of 1.5 crore AIADMK cadres.
Chief minister K. Palaniswamy praised Panneerselvam for facilitating the merger, amidst thunderous applause and jubilant scenes at a crowded cermony.
We are happy with the merger but billion dollar question is why are they avoiding us?: CR Saraswathi, TTV Dinakaran-VK Sasikala faction pic.twitter.com/wa1cFita5c
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Panneerselvam has been sold a lemon: BJP’s Subramanian Swamy
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, known to be friends with Jayalalithaa says that OPS has nothing to gain from the merger formula. He said that the dual power centre arrangement in the party and the government is a mere patchwork and he will not be surprised if another conflict flares up in the party.
It will be decided after party's general body meeting: O. Panneerselvam on question of VK Sasikala's expulsion from party post #AIADMKMerger
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Amma's blessings & wishes of party cadres made it possible. Thank CM E.Palaniswami & leaders of his faction: O. Panneerselvam #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/xk021DfuKc
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
‘Sasikala will be expelled soon’
Sasikala will be removed from the post of AIADMK General Secretary soon, AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Vaithilingam told The Indian Express. However, no official word has come out on the matter so far.
Sore Sasikala camp hits out at EPS, OPS, says Sasikala can’t be ousted
“We want everybody to be together, we don’t know why they are avoiding us. It was honourable Chinnamma who made Palaniswamy chief minister now they are avoiding us. The cadres are with us and just like OPS, they will soon come to us too for a merger and compromise,” CR Saraswathy, a TTV Dinakaran supporter said.
As OPS, EPS join hands at Amma memorial, AIADMK political drama comes full circle
Chennai: CM E.Palaniswami arrives at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach to pay tributes post #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/93CR28Xfhn
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
Unique solution to AIADMK conflict: Precarious power balance in party, govt
Eager to strike a merger deal. the two factions have, for now struck a unique deal. The two party stalwarts, each keen to inherit Jayalalithaa’s legacy at one time, have worked out a formula to play second fiddle to each other alternatively in the party and the government.
E Palaniswamy has relented control over AIADMK and appointed O Panneerselvam to be party coordinator, a post freshly created to accommodate OPS. Palaniswamy, will work as the joint coordinator and an 11-member steering committee will be formed to guide the party. In the government though, EPS will continue to hold the chief minister’s post and OPS will be the deputy chief minister.
The dual power centre, both within the party and the governmnet, has created a tenuous arrangement for now, but the political stability of the reunited factions will remain questionable after seven month of bitter animosity.
AIADMK reunion and the eerie silence around Sasikala’s fate
O Panneerselvam’s stature is slightly diminished within the party as the former chief minister returns to AIADMK folds as Palaniswamy’s deputy. He is also the AIADMK convener, a post especially created to accommodate him within the party while circumventing the formal chief position of General Secretary currently occupied by Sasikala.
And this was arguably a necessary compromise for the OPS faction given the stakes involved. However, the eerie silence over Sasikala’s ouster, one of the most rigid demands put forward by OPS camp, is unsettling.
If the two factions have agreed upon circumventing the major demand, even if by leaving the final decision on Sasikala, then OPS has gained little from the reunion. As of now, Sasikala remains to be the General Secretary of the AIADMK, even if in name.
OPS, EPS join hands to revive two leaves symbol, say a united AIADMK will last over 100 years
Amma (Jayalalithaa) has said before that after me AIADMK will last over 100 years. We all will make sure it happens: E Palaniswami
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
It is offiicial!
#FLASH AIADMK factions helmed by E.Palaniswami and O.Panneerselvam announce merger. pic.twitter.com/tEWWnQ4iI5
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2017
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