Is a patch-up between EPS and Dhinakaran on the cards?

According to sources, Sasikala’s younger brother Dhivakaran and his Jeyanand were working on the merger efforts and that they had reached out to all 18 MLAs with TTV Dhinakaran. 

However, the ruling AIADMK leaders have neither confirmed nor denied any attempt for such a merger. When contacted by DTNEXT, Fisheries minister D Jayakumar declined to comment over the alleged development but did not deny such a move either. 

Meanwhile, MLAs supporting TTV seem to be divided on the with some claiming that they did not want any patch with the ruling AIADMK while a few others in support of the merger. One of Dhinakaran’s loyalists P Vetrivel said Dhivakaran had promised to release Sasikala from prison if she accepted the merger. “Promise of releasing Chinnama (Sasikala) from prison through the merger with Palaniswami is a false promise,” he said. 

When asked about the 18 MLAs returning to the AIADMK fold leaving out Dhinakaran, his loyalist Vetrivel asserted that Dhivakaran had no hold over the MLAs who support Dhinakaran, but he added that both Sasikala and Dhinakaran are their leaders. 

Besides, the 18 disqualified MLAs, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran has the support of six more MLAs including three allies elected on ‘Two Leaves’. 

The ruling AIADMK is facing major hurdles in the coming weeks with a case over the party’s name and the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol being heard by the Delhi High Court besides the growing resentment against the party over the Cauvery Management Board issue.