Ex-minister Inbathamizhan returns to ruling party

Inbathamizhan, son of former AIADMK minister Thamaraikani has been sports minister in the J Jayalalithaa-led government. 

Inbathamizhan a party old-timer recently moved to the AMMK led by RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, but after the recent drubbing in the Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls by the rebel group, Inbathamizhan along with his supporters from Virudhunagar district decided to return to the parent AIADMK.

Chief Minister Palaniswami has been echoing to the AMMK functionaries and cadre to return to the AIADMK. The ruling party has been able to attract the sulking AMMK functionaries since the poll results were announced on May 23.

Prominent functionaries at district and zonal level from Tirunelveli also returned to the AIADMK at a brief function held at the residence of the Chief Minister. The AMMK functionaries attached to Theni district had also joined the AIADMK last week after calling on party convenor O Panneerselvam. According to AIADMK insiders, state ministers have also reached out to a few district secretaries and organising secretaries in the AMMK.  

Adding salt to the wound, V Dhivakaran, brother of VK Sasikala took turns to criticise the AMMK, led by his nephew TTV Dhinakaran and said more functionaries will abandon the AMMK. Addressing reporters, Dhivakaran criticised the AMMK as an evil force affecting the prospects of the AIADMK. Post the demise of J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK has become a party to promote nepotism like the DMK. Both AIADMK and AMMK are losing ground and cadres, Dhivakaran, who was once an influential person in the AIADMK, told reporters.