IN what could be construed as a decision to keep the party and the Government intact, the ruling AIADMK in a stunning late night decision chose to suspend V K Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran from the party affairs, virtually paving way for a patch up with the warring faction led by OPS.
Panneerselvam reiterated that AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran and his successor J. Jayalalithaa led the party as a movement of cadres. "I'm stepping aside. No political end game for me. only God knows my destiny", said TTV Dinakaran, hours before a Delhi Police team came knocking minutes before midnight to summon him.
Panneerselvam said the war for justice would continue "till the main goal is achieved".
Ministers and AIADMK lawmakers from Sasikala's group - the one that's governing Tamil Nadu - have rebelled after multiple corruption charges against Mr Dinakaran, which they fear are hurting the party. Dinakaran and some other AIADMK politicians had hinted that the saffron party might have been behind Sasikala and her nephew's ouster from the party. "We will talk about the merger and take appropriate decisions as per the wishes of party members", said OPS.
File image of TTV Dinakaran.
The Deputy General Secretary and nephew of Sasikala said the MLAs' meeting called by him later today should not be seen as a show of strength.
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In a tweet, Dhinakaran thanked all party functionaries and supporters who had extended their cooperation to him.
The two-leaf symbol has not been granted so far to either faction by the Election Commission.
Asked if he would allow K Palaniswami, a Sasikala backer, to remain the Chief Minister if the AIADMK unites, Pannerselvam said there was no point in talking about things that would not happen. "How can I escape from India", he told reporters here.
"In addition, the Edappadi government should also send its recommendation to the Centre for a thorough CBI probe into the mysterious death of "Amma" (Jayalalithaa)", he said.
When Sasikala tried to become Chief Minister, Mr Panneerselvam, who was head of the government, refused to quit. "We only demanded a CBI investigation into Jayalalithaa's death". He held discussions with AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary Dhinakaran at the latter's residence in Chennai.
The RK Nagar Assembly seat by-election was cancelled by the Election Commission following an alleged attempt by Dinakaran to bribe EC officials to get the party's poll symbol. The polling was later cancelled by the Election Commission.
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