In a new twist to the ongoing efforts to merge the two AIADMK factions, the Salem unit of the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma), which met under the leadership of veteran S. Semmalai on Friday, resolved to oppose the merger move with the parent party.
A resolution opposing the merger move and favouring the functioning of O. Panneerselvam faction as separate entity was adopted at the Salem district-level meeting of the party functionaries. Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy, former Minister, and about a dozen former party MLAs belonging to the district participated in the meeting.
Mr. Semmalai told media that the participants of the meeting expressed their opposition to the merger move in one voice.
He said that one of the main demands of the OPS faction was the removal of V.K. Sasikala from the post of general secretary of the party. But the rival camp is giving only lame excuses for not removing her from the party post. This only raises the suspicion that someone from the Sasikala family was still acting as the moving force behind the rival faction.
Mr. Semmalai demanded that the news of removal of Sasikala and Dhinakaran from the party post should be carried in the party organ “ Dr. Namathu MGR ”, which alone will satisfy the cadre of the OPS faction.
The meeting also demanded the removal of all the ministers whose names figured in the documents seized by the Income Tax authorities following allegations of distribution of money to the voters of the R.K. Nagar constituency.
The leaders who spoke at the meeting observed that the OPS faction enjoyed overwhelming support from the party cadre and the common public, and as such, it should not merge with the rival group at any cost.
Another resolution criticised the current regime for its silence on the demand for a CBI probe into Jayalalithaa’s death.
The meeting assumes significance as it was held on the day the CM was visiting Salem.
