Rebel OPS to become CM, EPS to head AIADMK?

The two factions of AIADMK has finally agreed to merge upon a deal as per which O Paneerselvam, the rebel leader, may become the Chief Minister of the state and the EK Palaniswami, the current CM, may become the general secretary of the party. 

The deal has been fixed, and formal talks will be beginning now between the leaders of both these factions to finalise the minor details and to make the announcement, The Indian Express quoted a senior party leader as saying. The deal also involves changes in the current cabinet, such as possible removal of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar whose properties were raided by IT sleuths and also induction of new faces on the cabinet. 

The reason behind the decision of the ruling faction of AIADMK to give up the CM’s position is the ‘vulnerable state of the government’ the daily quoted a source as saying. 

The same source has also been quoted as saying that any revolt by any leader of the currently ruling faction of AIADMK can bring down the government and therefore, a compromise is much needed. The announcement of the merger of the two AIADMK factions is most likely to be made on Monday. Interestingly, on the same day, Dinakaran is scheduled to appear before the Delhi police. 

Meanwhile, according to government sources, the current Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami will be travelling to Delhi for attending the NITI Aayog’s national meet, and he has sought appointment to meet the PM Narendra Modi on Sunday, April 23. The CM will also meet the agitating farmers in Jantar Mantar, Delhi and try to convince them to abandon the agitation; the government official was quoted by the daily as confirming. 

• AIADMK
• OPS
• EPS
• Tamil Nadu