PM’s merger push due to goodwill for Jaya: Panneerselvam

The clarification by Panneerselvam came after opposition DMK latched on to his remarks in his hometown Theni last week and said it only proved the charge that the BJP was driving the ruling AIADMK, post-Jayalalithaa’s demise.

“I sought the Prime Minister’s advise on the merger (last year) and he said it was good in the present day context and I only said this at the Theni meeting,” he told the media here.

Panneerselvam also said he told the Prime Minister that sidelined leader TTV Dinakaran was saying at that time that he would topple the government with the support of his 18 loyalist MLAs (now disqualified) and “I replied yes,” he said. Against the trend of a political party wanting its rival to split so that it could grow, “Prime Minister Modi giving such a view to the AIADMK was because of the goodwill he had for Amma,” he said. “Prime Minister’s good intention was reflected in his view,” Panneerselvam said.