Talks on merger move a step forward, says Panneerselvam

Edappadi Palaniswami, too, had said he was confident that “both the factions would merge soon”.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam paying respect at the freedom fighter Ondiveeran memorial at Nelkattumseval in Tirunelveli District on Sunday.

Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam on Sunday said talks on the merger of factions led by him and Chief Minister K Palaniswami have moved a step forward and a “good” decision would be reached shortly.

“I had informed that the merger talks are already progressing smoothly. It has progressed one more step...A good decision will be attained shortly as desired by you,” he told reporters in Rajapalayam after a meeting with his party functionaries.

On Saturay, Panneerselvam had said that talks on the merger of the factions were going on smoothly and a positive result was expected in a “day or two”.

Mr. Palaniswami, too, had said he was confident that “both the factions would merge soon”.

In Erode, AIADMK Amma faction veteran and Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan echoed him.

“It will be good decision and it will happen to the liking of the cadres and people,” he told reporters referring to the ‘positive views’ expressed by both Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Palaniswami.

Party sources indicated the merger might fructify on Monday if an agreement was reached on the question of Sasikala’s “formal expulsion,” as demanded by the Panneerselvam faction.

There were also some issues like the role envisaged for top functionaries of Panneerselvam camp including K P Munusamy and E Madhusudanan in the unified party, they said.

The merger talks have gained momentum after Mr. Palaniswami on August 17 announced that a inquiry commission would be set up to probe the death of late chief minister Jayalalithaa and her Poes Garden residence would be converted into a memorial, two of the key demands put forth by Panneerselvam camp.

Though the merger was expected to materialise on Friday night, it did not come through amid reported divergent views among the members of the Panneerselvam faction.

However, Mr. Panneerselvam cleared the air on Saturday, saying a positive result was expected in a day or two.

Mr. Panneerselvam, a former chief minister, had revolted against the leadership of jailed party chief V K Sasikala in February last, causing a split in the party.