On a day when merger talks between camps led by former TN Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami seem likely to reach a conclusion, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao is likely to reach Chennai. According to his PRO, the Governor has cancelled all his appointment in Mumbai for the day.
While both camps have been indicating that talks are progressing smoothly, sources in the OPS faction told TNM there are still strong disagreements over the issue. The OPS faction has cited three demands - Panneerselvam must have signatory and veto powers in the party, a committee headed by OPS to guide the party and the EPS camp must prepare a statement distancing themselves from VK Sasikala.
But with the Governor arriving to reportedly swear in two leaders from the OPS camp as ministers, it seems that these demands are likely to be fulfilled by the EPS camp. OPS will be arriving at the headquarters of the AIADMK at noon on Monday for further discussions.
"I had informed that the merger talks are already progressing smoothly. It has progressed one more step. A good decision will be attained shortly as desired by you," OPS told reporters after the meeting with his party functionaries on Sunday.
Immediately after the Chief Minister's announcement on Thursday, where he agreed to set up an inquiry commission to look into former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's death and convert Veda Nilayam into a memorial, it became clear that he was angling at a merger.
While former minister Mafoi Pandiarajan tweeted that the move was welcome and used the hashtag 'UnitedAIADMK', V Maitreyan who was one of the first leaders to join OPS requested his colleagues to not jump to conclusions.