AIADMK merger: OPS may settle for post of TN Deputy CM

Police personnel were deployed in a large number at the memorial with members of the public who wanted to offer their respects to Jayalalithaa fondly called as “Amma” (Mother) being prevented

E Palanisami will head the Tamil Nadu government while O Panneerselvam will run the AIADMK. As the two factions grew closer towards a merger and with OPS indicating that it may happen by Monday, differences have been gradually ironed out.

OPS is expected to be made the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and also the party's general secretary. He is also likely to be given the finance portfolio.

At an event on Saturday, OPS said that the talks are going on smoothly. A positive result is expected in a day or two, he told reporters.

The much expected merger on Friday night had failed to come off following reported divergent views among the members of the OPS faction.

This included the demand of certain members for a CBI inquiry into late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's death as against the announcement of an inquiry commission to be headed by a retired High Court judge.

There were also reports of hard bargaining on party and cabinet posts by Palaniswami-led AIADMK (Amma) faction and the OPS group.

Meanwhile, sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran held deliberations with supporters at his residence here.

Dinakaran, who spoke to reporters on Friday after meeting his aunt and party general secretary VK Sasikala at a Bengaluru jail on her birthday yesterday, had downplayed the expected merger of the AIADMK factions saying it would not have any longevity and that it was not a 'setback' to him.

Amid speculation of an imminent merger of the two factions, several AIADMK MLAs of both the groups had congregated at the mausoleum of Jayalalithaa at the Marina beach here.

Police personnel were deployed in a large number at the memorial with members of the public who wanted to offer their respects to Jayalalithaa fondly called as "Amma" (Mother) being prevented from entering the burial site.

Two special wreaths were also kept ready apparently to enable Palaniswami and Panneerselvam to offer their respects at the burial site.

OneIndia News