Doors for merger still open: Jayakumar

Interacting with reporters at the end of the meeting of ministers and party functionaries with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at the party headquarters, Jayakumar said, “We do not want to lose anybody and are for a united AIADMK.” 

The much-anticipated meeting in which ministers, 54 party functionaries and nine spokespersons participated is being viewed as a result of party deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran’s announcement that he would re-enter active politics after August 4. Finance Minister D Jayakumar indicated that a patch-up with Dinakaran was “unlikely”. “We are very clear, the party and government is led by Palaniswami. We are not going to be worried about others.” 

The meeting also witnessed discussions on pre-empting Dinakaran’s moves of touring the state besides his role in MGR centenary celebrations, party sources said. Soon after the meeting was over, Palaniswami remained closeted with eight ministers for further discussion at the party HQ. 

Earlier, in a day of fast moving developments, EPS had met with senior members of his cabinet at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning. EPS also met Dinakaran supporter and Theni district secretary Thangatamilselvan accompanied by TN government representative at New Delhi Dalavai Sundaram after his ministerial meeting at the Secretariat.

Party MP R Vaithialingam also stated that chances for the merger of AIADMK(A) and AIADMK(PTA) factions were bright. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam led AIADMK(PTA) also held discussions on how to strengthen the party at his Greenways Road residence in the morning. “But the issue of faction merger was not formally discussed,” former Minister K Pandiarajan told the media.