The much-awaited talks between AIADMK—Amma and AIADMK—Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (AIADMK—PTA) have begun, according to leaders of either side.
Talking to The Hindu on Tuesday evening, R. Vaithilingam, organising secretary of the ruling AIADMK (Amma) and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), said, “The talks are on and they are progressing well.”
Earlier in the day, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam told the media that “favourable conditions” had emerged for talks. As a result, the two sides were ‘talking’ to each other.
An observer of the AIADMK says two factors could have compelled the two groups to come to the negotiation table. Apart from the need to get back the symbol of “Two Leaves” before the upcoming local body elections, their arch-rival, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is making attempts to bring various parties under its fold and this has become evident in the way the DMK and its allies conducted a ‘bandh’ on Tuesday to highlight farmers’ issues.
On Monday, when there were expectations that the talks would take off, the two sides engaged in an exchange of sharp words. While the AIADMK (PTA)’s leader K.P. Munusamy said his group was firm on its demands regarding a CBI inquiry into the death of Jayalalithaa and the ouster of jailed interim general secretary of the AIADMK (Amma) V.K. Sasikala and her family members from the party, Mr. Vaithilingam responded, saying that laying down preconditions would not pave the way for talks.
Meanwhile, AIADMK (PTA) leader E. Madhusudhanan urged AIADMK(Amma) to remove portraits of Sasikala from the party headquarters.
