Merger in limbo as OPS group’s demands irk rivals

Speaking to reporters at the Greenways Road residence of OPS, former minister KP Munusamy said that there would be no discussion on merger until the pre-conditions were met. 

“First, we want CM Palanisamy to withdraw the affidavit sworn before the Election Commission in support of VK Sasikala as AIADMK general secretary. Following which Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran should submit their resignations and later, the party should expel Sasikala and all her family members (around 30 of them). Until these conditions are met, there can be no merger,” he said.

He also wanted the state government to recommend a CBI probe into the circumstances that led to Jayalalithaa’s death in December last year. Coming out strongly against ministers, whom Munusamy claimed were talking unilaterally, he referred to Finance Minister D Jayakumar’s statement that Sasikala’s family was removed due to the wish of party cadre and not because of the rival faction’s demands. “Even when Jayakumar spoke on this for the first time, he mentioned only Dinakaran’s name and not that of Sasikala,” Munusamy said. 

Sending a clear signal that they were in no hurry for a merger, Munusamy warned that they (OPS camp) were willing to go to the people to make OPS the party general secretary and chief minister if the merger talks failed. “Since this morning, we are getting feelers that their camp is being controlled by certain groups on whose advice, they are working for a merger. But we will not allow that and remain firm with our demands,” he said. 

When asked if making OPS as chief minister was also part of the demands, Munusamy said that they only wanted AIADMK general secretary’s post for their leader. “The decision on who becomes the chief minister will be taken by the general secretary after consultations,” he said.