AIADMK merger: Is OPS eying for a bigger position than just deputy CM?

Big changes are in-store for Tamil Nadu’s ruling party AIADMK as the factions head towards a merger on Monday, August 21. 

On the one hand, the party’s office bearers have unanimously voted to oust TTV Dhinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary and also nullify Sasikala’s appointment as general secretary. On the other hand, O Panneerselvam (OPS) will allegedly be appointed as the deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

But will OPS agree to be relegated to the post of a deputy?

Sources on the ground at the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai, tell Asianet Newsable that OPS wants a substantial position of power in the AIADMK.

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The office bearers of both AIADMK (Amma) and AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) will meet at 12 pm. The office bearers will form a new resolution which will be presented before Governor C Vidyasagar Rao who has flown into Chennai.

Sources tell Newsable that the party wants to give the post of deputy CM to Panneerselvam. However, he intends to become the signing authority of the party. The signing authority approves the candidates contesting for the elections and is considered a powerful position in the party. This role was earlier fulfilled by the general secretary of AIADMK. Since Sasikala and Dhinakaran’s positions have been nullified, the party needs to hold fresh elections for the post which will include all the members of AIADMK including the cadres. 

However, the party members believe that such an election can deepen the rift further and have avoided holding the elections now. The party removed Sasikala from her position instead. 

AIADMK will instead form a committee to run the affairs of the party which will be headed by O Panneerselvam. This will give him the powers of a general secretary without being called one.

The committee will comprise of seven members from OPS faction and eight members of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami’s faction. OPS will be the chairman of the committee, and three others will be appointed as the deputy chairmen of the committee, one from OPS faction and two others from EPS’ faction.

These are the arrangements made for the merger of the factions. However, the official confirmation will be made only after the formal meeting. 

Although Amit Shah was slated to visit Chennai for the merger, inside reports suggest that the visit has been cancelled,
 

• AIADMK Merger
• E Palaniswami
• o Panneerselvam
• Deputy Chief Minister