Merger of AIADMK Factions Expected Today

Palaniswami and Panneerselvam are likely to arrive at the party headquarters in Chennai by noon and formalise the merger deal, party sources indicated.

AIADMK chief O. Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E. Palaniswami. Credit: PTI

O. Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami. Credit: PTI

Chennai: The expected merger of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) factions led by Tamil Nadu chief minister K. Palaniswami and rebel leader O. Panneerselvam is likely to fructify today.

Palaniswami and Panneerselvam are likely to arrive at the party headquarters here by noon and formalise the merger deal, party sources indicated.

Ahead of the formalisation of the deal, the Palaniswami camp is likely to make an announcement in respect of party chief V.K. Sasikala since the Panneerselvam faction is firm on a ‘formal expulsion’ of the jailed leader.

In a resolution on August 10, the chief minister’s camp had already delegitimised deputy general secretary and Sasikala’s nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran setting the stage for a merger.

Though the merger appears imminent, the faction led by Dhinakaran yesterday had flayed the merger attempt as a drama.

The deputy general secretary’s faction said their leader “has the ability to put a full stop” to whatever decision that could be taken related to a merger.