Even as the merger talks between the two AIADMK factions appear to be going downhill, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam has announced his state-wide tour to meet his supporters from May 5.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, K P Munusamy said, “The former chief minister is meeting leaders, workers and people everyday. In this situation, he has decided to carry out rally across the state. He will be meeting people and party workers. He will be celebrating MGR's 100th birthday on a grand scale, after knowing what people and party workers want. The event that will be held on 8th and 9th of the next month will be a victorious gala,” he said.
He also added that O Panneerselvam will also be figuring out the leaders’ functions in the local election. From May 5 to 31 he will be visiting all districts and meeting the administrators.
Speaking about the merger talks with the opposite faction, he said, “The conditions we have put is for the good of the nation, the party and the workers. I want this party founded by MGR to be protected. If they accept it, they will also be benefited by it,” he said.
On Monday, former CM O Panneerselvam questioned the opposite faction for their alleged decision not to sideline Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran from the party.
Panneerselvam, during a May Day celebration and public meeting in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency, claimed that their faction was focused on bringing out the truth about the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Moreover, they want a CBI investigation into the case.
He added that the opposite faction cannot be trusted and the process of merger talks were being delayed.
Meanwhile, Deputy speaker Thambidurai, at a public meeting in Karur, asked why O Panneerselvam, who remained Chief Minister for four months, did not initiate an investigation into the death of Jayalalithaa then.
However, Chief Minister Edapaddi Palanisami had reportedly told his supporters that their faction is ready for the unconditional merger talks. He also alleged that some were trying to stop the talks.