A Delhi Police lookout notice against AIADMK Amma leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, his statement that he has stepped aside, and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's reaction to his statement raised the political heat in Chennai on Wednesday.
In a tweet, Mr. Dhinakaran thanks partymen for the support extended to him.
EPS not acceptable: OPS camp
The Panneerselvam camp, however, is reportedly not agreeing to a possible deal of retaining Edappadi Palanisami as Chief Minister and Panneerselvam as general secretary of the party.
Meanwhile, the meeting of partymen attached to the Panneerselvam faction has begun.
First victory, says OPS
After Mr. Dhinakaran made the statement, Mr. Panneerselvam said, "This is a first victory in our dharm yudh. Our struggle was only to keep Sasikala's influence away from the party. We will hold talks and decide as per the wishes of partymen and people.''
I will take the best decision: Dhinakaran
Earlier in the day, Mr. Dhinakaran told reporters at his residence,"I will take the best decision. Nobody has to sideline me [from the party].. I know how to take decisions in the interest of the party and the government."
When asked how many MLAs supported him, he said, "See, all are our MLAs. I don't want to show any strength or anything that."
Party leaders might be acting out of fear, he said. Read more
Minister Dindigul C. Sreenivasan said, "We've decided to constitute a committee under Mr. Palanisami that will lead the party.''
Three meetings
Mr. Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edappadi Palanasami have called for meetings separately on Wednesday to discuss the future course of action, sources said.
Mr. Dhinakaran has also called a meeting of party MLAs and district secretaries.
Earlier, Mr. Dhinakaran convened a meeting of party MLAs on Wednesday.
This comes hours after the Cabinet led by Mr. Palanisami revolted against him. However, Finance Minister D. Jayakumar said Mr. Dhinakaran cannot call a meeting of (AIADMK) party MLAs. "Only party headquarters secretary can do", he added.
Revolt by EPS
An influential section of Sasikala loyalists led by Mr. Palanisami, late on Tuesday, made the dramatic announcement to keep away party general secretary Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran from the party and affairs of the government, saying people and party workers were against them. The faction also resolved to keep the latter “completely away” from the affairs of the party and the government.
Finance Minister D. Jayakumar told journalists late on Tuusday that the party had decided that the Sasikala family had to be completely sidelined. “There shall be no interference in the affairs of the party and the government. We decided about this and have chosen to inform the people and the cadre,” he said. Read more
This is the second revolt in the AIADMK since party supremo Jayalalithaa’s death in December last.
Mr. Panneerselvam broke ranks with Sasikala in February, alleging he was forced to resign.
Though Mr. Jayakumar, who announced the revolt after the meeting at Mr. Palanisami’s house, claimed the decision to keep away the Sasikala family was “unanimous”, some MLAs vowing allegiance to Mr. Dhinakaran questioned the Ministers’ action.
Six MLAs support
Six MLAs, including P Vetrivel and Thanga Tamilselvan, have extended their open support to Mr. Dhinakaran, whose house witnessed hectic activity.
His supporters, including senior leaders such as Nanjil Sampath and Tamil Magan Hussein, held discussions with him, though Mr. Dhinakaran chose not to meet waiting mediapersons despite initial indications that he would address them.
The latest revolt came on a day when the Mr. Panneerselvam camp made merger talks between the two camps conditional to the ouster of Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran. Read more
The lookout notice against Mr. Dhinakaran was issued by the Delhi Police following inputs that he was an NRI and could try to flee, police said. Read more
(With inputs from PTI)
