Though they have not met even once, both the AIADMK factions on Saturday claimed that merger talks were very much on the cards.
At the Coimbatore airport, Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani said that the common objective was to retrieve the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol.
He said the State government’s performance was good and actor Rajinikanth had no business criticising it. “Why did he remain silent when actor Sathyaraj faced trouble in releasing his film in Karnataka. Why has Mr. Rajinikanth chosen to speak now, that too against the State government,” Mr. Velumani asked.
Earlier at the airport, K. Pandiarajan, a leader of the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma), also said both the factions continued to explore the possibility of a merger.
“Our team constituted for the talks remains active. However, we are strong in our demand for distancing V.K. Sasikala and her family from the party,” he said, emphasising that their faction would not destabilise the government.
Responding to a question on the BJP trying to manipulate the factions, Mr. Pandiarajan said the BJP would never be able to influence the AIADMK factions — directly or indirectly. Unlike the ruling faction, he welcomed Mr. Rajinikanth’s entry into politics.
