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After ministers rebelled, Dinakaran 'stays away' from party affairs
AIADMK Amma Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran, who is also the nephew of Party Chief V K Sasikala, announced that he was 'keeping away' from the party affairs in line with the decision taken by a majority of the Ministers for a patch up with the rival faction led by AIADMK PTA leader O Panneerselvam.
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Chennai
Talking to reporters, he said "I decided to 'keep away' from party last night itself (moments after the Ministers headed by Chief Minister and his aunt V K Sasikala loyalist Edappadi K Palanisamy met and decided to keep both of them away from the party)".
"I have no regrets", Dinakaran said, adding, "the Ministers could have called a meeting at the Party Headquarters, invited me for the discussions and told me about it", he added.
Asked whether he had any regrets for being sidelined in the party, he said "I did not enjoy anything. So I have no regrets".Â
Observing that the Ministers have taken the decision to keep him and Sasikala away 'in haste' and out of 'some fear', he said he would not take any steps that would weaken the party.
Terming the Ministers and MLAs as his brothers, he said there should not be any fight among the siblings.
"I do not want to fight with my brothers to prove my strength", he added.
"If they had told me, I myself would have stepped aside", he said, adding, his intention was that the party, cadres and the MLAs should stay united  and guide the government.Â
Stating that he did not know the 'reasons' for the fear among the Ministers, Dinakaran said he would not take any step that would weaken the government.
"If the Ministers are happy in sidelining me, let them be happy and stay united and protect the party and the government", he added.
"If it (sidelining him) is helpful for the party and the government, I will keep away, he said.
But the Ministers should protect the party and the government without any fear, he added.
Dinakaran said his main aim was that there should not be any problem in the party or the government because of him.
Recalling the meeting the Ministers had with him on Tamil New year day and extended their greetings on the occasion, Dinakaran said he did not know the reason behind the Ministers suddenly turning 'rebel' against him in the last two to three days.
"They have some fear...that's why they have suddenly changed their mind in the last 2-3 days...let them be happy and look after the party and the government well", he added.
Asked about some MLAs meeting him and asserting that he would continue to lead the party as Deputy General Secretary and that Sasikala would remain as the General Secretary, Dinakaran said "I told them to be cooperative with the government".
Mr Dinakaran also said he was not against the merger of the AIADMK Amma group with the rebel faction led by Mr Panneerselvam.
"There is no problem in merging with the other group...I am not against the merger", he added.
On the MLAs meeting called by him later today and the Ministers asserting that no such meeting has been convened, he said it was cancelled as his FERA case in the EO court has been adjourned to afternoon.
"There is nothing like meeting or counter meetings. Since I have to go to the court, the meeting of MLAs will not be held. If needed, I can meet the MLAs at my residence after returning from the court", he added.Â
Asked whether he would step down from the party post, Dinakaran said he  was appointed to the post by Ms Sasikala.
"I will take a decision as per the wishes of my aunt (who is now lodged in Bengaluru jail following her conviction in the DA case)", he added.
Dinakaran also dismissed reports of him fleeing or travelling abroad in the wake of a bribery case registered against him for having allegedly given money to a middleman to get back the AIADMK's 'Two Leaves' symbol.
"I have no passport for the last 16 years. Then how can I travel abroad", he added.
Meanwhile, Minister C Ve Shanmugham, talking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister, said a committee would be formed to guide the party and the government.
"Hereafter the party and the government will be guided and run by the  Committee only", he said.
"No any single individual will run the party affairs and the government", Mr Shanmugham said, in an apparent reference to Dinakaran holding sway over the party and the government.
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