O Panneerselvam has given positive signs on merger: Jayakumar

Regarding the terms of merger, the Minister said that he could not comment on it off-hand as it would have to be discussed by the headquarters of the ruling party led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and a similar committee of senior leaders from the AIADMK (PTA) camp.

“A consensus would be arrived at and the merger would happen thereafter,” Jayakumar said. “BJP’s hand in merger is a goodwill gesture and a boost for our efforts,” he said and added, “I assume, Arumai Annan (dear elder brother) OPS would have discussed merger issues with Modi. I infer this from his press briefing after his meeting with the PM.”

On complying with primary demands made by the OPS camp, the Minister observed that they are firm in their decision to run the party and government without any influence from TTV Dinakaran and his supporters. He added that the probe into former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s death is sub judice. He made similar remarks as to why there was no clarity on Sasikala’s position in the party. Jayakumar reiterated that no one could decorate the post of general secretary which was held by Jayalalithaa, which figured in the statement that announced the removal of Dinakaran citing party bye-laws.

Taking pot shots at Dinakaran and some of the MLAs siding with him, the Minister said they would be labelled as traitors if they support any attempt to derail the government. “Dinakaran would have earned his respect among people had he come out with a strongly worded statement against the DMK working president MK Stalin on moving a no confidence motion against the government,” Jayakumar said. As regards Dinakaran’s name calling of the CM as ‘420,’ Jayakumar maintained that they would not push for any action.