A day after some tough posturing, the two AIADMK factions on Friday got down to business to explore the possibilities of merger by constituting teams of leaders who would formally conduct negotiations for the unification of the AIADMK.
While the ruling AIADMK (Amma) team would be led by party organising secretary and Rajya Sabha MP R. Vaithilingam; the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) team will be led by former Minister K.P. Munusamy.
The ruling camp is learnt to be keen on retaining incumbent Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister. In such a scenario, former CM O. Panneerselvam, who heads the AIADMK (PTA), would have to be made general secretary of the unified party in addition to a place in the Cabinet.
Though leaders of the AIADMK (Amma), on record, say they are for issues to be thrashed out through talks, they are also clear that the arithmetic in the House is on their side, as they have 122 MLAs.
2011 Krishnagiri MLA ,.K. P. Munusamy AIADMK {Revised caption}
On Wednesday, responding to a reporter’s query, M. Thambi Durai, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and Amma faction leader said there was no need to change the Chief Minister.
Even though this evoked a strong reaction from Mr. Munusamy, the task of making a favourable response to the announcement of the AIADMK (Amma) on the composition of a committee for the talks was left to Mr. Munusamy himself on Friday.
