The Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, D Jayakumar, yesterday, offered to resign, so that his portfolis could be allocated to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) amma faction, O Pannerselvam (OPS) camp.

Now, this can be called a goodwill gesture from Chief Minister E Palaniswamy's faction with a twist. Jayakumar said, “If someone has to sacrifice for the welfare of the party, let it be me. I am ready to forego my portfolios for them.”

The two rival factions of the AIADMK, EPS (Edappadi K Palaniswamy) and OPS are expected to begin merger talks on Monday evening. The Tamil Nadu Forest Minister, DC Sreenivasan said that “The majority Edappadi K Palaniswamy government will complete its full term.” As per the reports, “The merger deal has been sealed and formal talks will start now between the senior leaders of EPS and OPS to finalize and announce the decision. Palaniswamy will step down and become the AIADMK chief. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, whose properties were raided by IT officials, may be dropped from the cabinet. Ex Minister and MLA Senthil Balaji, may be introduced along with one or two more faces from southern Tamil Nadu, quoted a senior AIADMK leader.

Both the factions, have each appointed a seven-member committee to start talks. While the OPS camp has demanded the resignation of AIADMK Chief V.K. Sasikala and her nephew, TTV Dinakaran, the OPS camp said it has no preconditions for talks. Dinakaran, however, stated last week, that he would only resign after speaking to Sasikala, who is lodged in Parappana Agrahara jail at Bengaluru. The AIADMK Deputy General Secretary is being interrogated by the Delhi police, for allegedly trying to bribe one of the Election Commission official for ownership of the “Two Leaves symbol” of the party.

AIADMK Factions Seal Merger; OPS Back As CM

By Supraja