A combative AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) camp hardened its stand insisting that the eviction of Sasikala, T.T.V. Dhinakaran and almost 30 other family members from the party was essential for the merger talks to begin.
The faction also insisted that a CBI inquiry be instituted into the death of Jayalalithaa and that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami should make such a recommendation to the Centre.
These were the two main demands laid out by the AIADMK (PTA) to proceed with talks with the AIADMK (Amma) party.
The Hindu had reported on Thursday that the AIADMK (PTA) camp was keen on the formal resignation of Sasikala and Dhinakaran from their party posts before the talks could begin.
“All the leaders in that camp (AIADMK (Amma)) should withdraw their affidavits accepting Sasikala and Dhinakaran as interim general secretary and deputy general secretary, filed before the Election Commission,” former minister K.P. Munusamy told a press conference on Thursday.
“They should also issue a statement that everyone related to Sasikala in her family, about 30 of them, will be thrown out of the party and that their memberships will be cancelled; and they should ask AIADMK cadre not have any truck with them,” Mr. Munusamy said.
He also rubbished claims that the AIADMK (PTA) was insisting that Mr. Panneerselvam be made the Chief Minister. “Mr. Thambi Durai is making statements that Mr. Palaniswami will continue as CM without any provocation,” he said.
Lashes out at CM, FM
Mr. Munusamy also lashed out at the Chief Minister, and Finance Minister D. Jayakumar. “Jayakumar is speaking like a political novice. He is making immature statements. Edappadi is not Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. He was appointed by Sasiakala and is Sasikala’s Chief Minister,” he charged.
Mr. Munusamy alleged that Sasikala was using the 122 MLAs and the Ministers in the government to oust Mr. Dhinakaran. “There are so many cases against Dhinakaran and Sasikala is trying to throw him out using the Ministers,” he said. “This Cabinet and Edappadi [Palaniswami] should not be involved in this efforts by the Sasikala family to backstab the cadre”.
Claiming that there was a vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics, he said Mr. Panneerselvam was emerging as a leader of the people and the cadre. “People are ready to vote for OPS,” he said, adding that if the election to the post of general secretary was held, lakhs of cadre would field Mr. Panneerselvam and ensure his victory.
