Tamil Nadu

Second revolt in AIADMK: Dhinakaran and Sasikala cannot lead the party, say group of Ministers

Written by : TNM Staff

Is this the beginning of the end of the Mannargudi clan's influence in the AIADMK?

In a significant move, around 20 Cabinet Ministers who met at Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami's residence have decided to keep the Sasikala family away from the government and the party.

Emerging from a meeting that went on almost one and a half hours, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said that a decision has been taken keeping in mind the sentiment of the cadre.

"Our aim is to keep the party together. The cadres don't want TTV Dhinakaran to lead the party. To put it bluntly, Sasikala and her family cannot lead the party," Jayakumar said.

Almost repeating what O Panneerselvam has been saying since he broke away from Sasikala at the Jayalalithaa memorial in February, Jayakumar said on Tuesday night, "The party and the government should not be in the control of one family."

According to the Edappadi Palaniswami faction, the CM has the support of 122 MLAs.  

Jayakumar also said that a panel will be formed to oversee the day-to-day functioning of AIADMK, according to PTI.

AIADMK spokesperson Ponnaiyan said that Sasikala is not the General Secretary of the party. "Her election was illegal. We do not consider her the General Secretary," he said.

Notably, Ponnaiyan - and many of the others who are part of the team claiming the ouster of Sasikala and Dhinakaran - were staunch supporters of Sasikala in her battle with OPS.

The decision comes after many rounds of hectic meetings between both the factions.

Earlier, TTV Dhinakaran had put forth a compromise formula that he would resign as Deputy general secretary, but Sasikala would continue as General Secretary.

However, the OPS camp rejected the formula. Senior leaders including CM Edapadi Palaniswami then went into a huddle. All Ministers who gathered at the CM's residence were of the opinion that letting the Mannargudi family continue at the helm of the party would spell doom for them.

This is a developing story, we will update it as and when more information comes in.

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