Tamil Nadu: TTV Dhinakaran says,'I am ready for merger, disown 6 ministers first'
T.T.V. Dhinakaran, the sidelined leader of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday told EPS, OPS that he is not interested in CM's post. According to News 18 reports, Dhinakaran also said, "I am ready for merger, disown 6 ministers first''.
There were reports earlier that Dhinakaran is expected to float his party soon.
While the latter is due in 2019, the political chaos following the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa means elections to local bodies, due in October 2016, are yet to be held.
Following the merger of their rival AIADMK factions in August 2017, chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his deputy O. Panneerselvam sacked Sasikala from the post of party general secretary.
The EC in November awarded the 'two leaves' symbol to the merged party. It had earlier decided to freeze the symbol ahead of the bypoll for the R.K. Nagar seat that fell vacant after Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016. The bypoll was rescinded. Dhinakaran has filed a plea in the Delhi high court against the EC's decision
The byelection, held in December 2017, immediately after the decision on the 'two leaves' symbol, saw Dhinakaran score a thumping victory as an independent candidate.
OneIndia News