AIADMK denies discontent in its ranks

"You should not discuss party affairs outside. AIADMK is a large organisation having 1.5 crore workers. Even if there is difference of opinion, it would be appropriate to sort them out internally," Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said.

He was responding to reporters' queries on his colleague and Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan's comments on Facebook, hinting at discontent among leaders of the erstwhile factions, led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy, O Panneerselvam.

The factions merged in August, after which Panneerselvam returned to the government.

Jayakumar asserted there was no difference of opinion.

"There is consensus and unity to take forward the party founded by the late MGR (MG Ramachandran) and nurtured by Amma (late J Jayalalithaa)," he said.

He compared the AIADMK and its government with a temple car, where all hands unitedly pull it forward.

Earlier in the day, Maitreyan indicated a possible discontent between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam camps.

"It has been three months now since the merger of EPS-OPS faction. Months are passing by, what about hearts?," Maitreyan said in his Facebook post.

Queried about his remarks, Maitreyan, who was in the Panneerselvam faction, said he had already expressed his views and did not wish to say anything more.

Senior party leaders K P Munuswamy and Manoj Pandian, who were earlier part of the pre-merger Panneerselvam camp, refused to comment on Maitreyan's remarks.

However, when asked if all promises made prior to the merger were met, Munuswamy said: "Differences in any party are a routine affair and will be resolved internally according to the convenience of stakeholders."

On various occasions, the leaders of the two factions have maintained they no longer have differences.

In October, Panneerselvam, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, said he had no differences with Chief Minister Palaniswami and all decisions were taken inclusively.

Following Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016, the two factions led by Panneerselvam and V K Sasikala were formed.

Later, a large group of Ministers and legislators led by the Chief Minister revolted against the jailed and deposed Sasikala, and announced merger of the two factions.