AIADMK merger likely as factions agree to reinstate OPS as Tamil Nadu CM, Palaniswami to be general secretary

A unified AIADMk may once again be reality soon. According to reports, two warring factions of Tamil Nadu's ruling party have reached a deal to reinstate rebel leader O Panneerselvam as the chief minister while current CM E K Palaniswami will take charge as the organisation’s general secretary in place of the jailed V K Sasikala.

“The merger deal has been sealed and formal talks will begin now between the senior leaders of both factions to finalise and announce the decision. Palaniswami will step down for Panneerselvam, and become the party chief. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, whose properties were raided by Income Tax officials, may be dropped from the cabinet. Former minister and MLA Senthil Balaji may be inducted along with one or two more faces from southern Tamil Nadu,” a senior AIADMK leader told The Indian Express.

According to the newspaper's report, what forced the ruling faction to give up the post of chief minister was the “vulnerable state of the government”. 

“A revolt by just six of the 122 MLAs currently with the ruling faction will bring down the government,” sources told the media house.

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