On Monday night, the political scenario in Tamil Nadu was buzzing with activity, and the focus was on the residences of two Ministers - Thangamani and Udumalai Radhakrishnan.
Almost 20 Ministers met at Minister Thangamani's house. TNM has learnt that this was a group of Ministers who are flustered by the I-T raids and FIR against TTV Dhinakaran. Most of them believe that the party should have an amicable relationship with the Centre, and want the two factions of the AIADMK - led by OPS on one side and Sasikala's family on the other - to merge. Of this, many Ministers want TTV Dhinakaran to resign and be a back seat driver of the party.
Meanwhile another meeting is going on at Housing Minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan's residence. One or two ministers who are still staunch supporters of Sasikala are part of the meeting.
These hectic developments come on a day when O Panneerselvam said that he would welcome a merger of both factions.
11.41pm: Ministers who were meeting at Udumalai Radhakrishnan's residence have now arrived at Thangamani's house.
11.40pm: The four women Ministers part of the Tamil Nadu government arrive at Thangamani's residence.
11.18pm: Senior AIADMK leader Velumani says, "This is like a fight between brothers. We will unite and retrieve the two leaves symbol."
11.16pm: Reacting to rumours that Sasikala has tendered her resignation as party general secretary, Jayakumar says, "We have no information whether Sasikala has resigned as General Secretary."
11.13pm: AIADMK leaders claim all MLAs and Ministers are on the same page. "We want to continue Amma's rule and retrieve two leaves symbol."
11.12pm: "We appreciate OPS's offer to merge. We spoke about how to function if we merge," says Jayakumar.
11.10pm: "The second issue we discussed, like the Deputy Speaker said, OPS gave an opinion that should be welcomed. Regarding that, we discussed about how we can take the party forward in a united way," Jayakumar says.
11.09pm: Minister Jayakumar says, "We need to give affidavits from all districts to the EC about the two-leaves symbol. We discussed that issue at the meeting."
11.05pm: Minister Jayakumar speaks to media persons: "We discussed about keeping the party united." The Minister claimed that they also discussed the submission of affidavit to the EC.
10.58pm: Health minister Vijayabaskar reaches Thangamani's residence
10.50pm: Meeting continues at Minister Udumalai Radhakrishnan's residence.
10.45pm: Minister Thangamani's residence buzzing with political activity. Several Ministers present at his Greenways Road house.