The factions led by chief minister K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam have come together about six months after splitting.
O. Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu chief minister E. Palaniswami. Credit: PTI
Chennai: AIADMK factions led by chief minister K. Palaniswami and rebel leader O. Panneerselvam came together today after a bitter split about six months ago.
A smiling Palaniswami and Panneerselvam shook hands signifying the formal merger of both the factions at the party headquarters here.
Palaniswami said Paneerselvam will be AIADMK’s coordinator while he will be the joint coordinator.
“The burden in my heart is gone,” Panneerselvam said adding “none can separate us, we are children of Amma (late chief minister Jayalalithaa), we are brothers.”
He said the merger was not only the desire of Tamil Nadu people, but also of the of 1.5 crore AIADMK cadres.
Palaniswami praised Panneerselvam for facilitating the merger, amidst thunderous applause and jubilant scenes at a crowded ceremony.