Willing to step aside, says Dhinakaran

Top Stories

This is a first victory in our dharm yudh, says O. Panneerselvam

Chennai – A Delhi Poilce lookout notice against AIADMK Amma leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran for allegedly trying to bribe Election Commission officials, his statement at a press meet that he will be “taking the best decision for the sake of the AIADMK”, and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s reaction to his statement raised the political heat in Chennai on Wednesday.

First victory, says OPS
After Mr. Dhinakaran hinted at the press meet that he will step aside in the party’s interests, Mr. Panneerselvam said, “”This is a first victory in our dharm yudh. Our struggle was only to keep Sasikala’s influence away from the party. We will hold talks and decide as per the wishes of partymen and people.”

Nobody has to sideline me: Dhinakaran
Mr. Dhinakaran told reporters at his residence,”I will take the best decision.. Nobody has to sideline me [from the party].. I know how to take decisions in the interest of the party and the government.”

When asked how many MLAs supported him, he said, “See, all are our MLAs. I don’t want to show any strength or anything that.”

Party leaders might be acting out of fear, he said. Read more

Minister Dindigul C. Sreenivasan said, “We’ve decided to constitute a committee under Mr. Palanisami that will lead the party.”

The lookout notice was issued by the Delhi Police against Mr. Dhinakaran following inputs that he was an NRI and could try to flee, police said. Read more

Hectic activity at three places
Mr. Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edappadi Palanasami have called for meetings separately to discuss the future course of action, sources said.

Mr. Dhinakaran has called a meeting of party MLAs and district secretaries later on Wednesday.

Earlier, Mr. Dhinakaran convened a meeting of party MLAs on Wednesday. This comes hours after the Cabinet led by Mr. Palanisami revolted against him.

However, Finance Minister D. Jayakumar said Mr. Dhinakaran cannot call a meeting of (AIADMK) party MLAs. “Only party headquarters secretary can do”, he added.

Revolt by EPS
An influential section of Sasikala loyalists led by Mr. Palaniswami late on Tuesday made the dramatic announcement to keep away the general secretary and deputy general secretary Dhinakaran from the party and affairs of government, saying people and party workers were against them. The faction also resolved to keep the latter “completely away” from the affairs of the party and the government.

Finance Minister D. Jayakumar told journalists late on Tuusday that the party had decided that the Sasikala family had to be completely sidelined. “There shall be no interference in the affairs of the party and the government. We decided about this and have chosen to inform the people and the cadre,” the Minister said. Read more

This is the second revolt in AIADMK since party supremo Jayalalithaa’s death in December last.

Mr. Panneerselvam broke ranks with Sasikala in February, alleging he was forced to resign.

Three factions
Now there are three factions in Tamil Nadu headed by Mr. Palaniswami, Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Dhinakaran, who is filling in for Sasikala, jailed in connection with the DA case in which Jayalalithaa was the main accused.

Though Finance Minister D .Jayakumar, who announced the revolt after the meeting at Palaniswami’s house, claimed the decision to keep away Sasikala family was “unanimous”, some MLAs vowing allegiance to Mr. Dhinakaran questioned the ministers’ action.

Six MLAs support
Six MLAs including P Vetrivel and Thanga Tamilselvan, have extended their open support to Mr. Dhinakaran, whose house witnessed hectic activity till early today.

His supporters, including senior leaders such as Nanjil Sampath and Tamil Magan Hussein, held discussions with him, though Mr. Dhinakaran chose not to meet waiting mediapersons despite initial indications that he would address them.

The Panneerselvam camp will also be meeting to discuss the present political situation.

The latest revolt came on a day when the Mr. Panneerselvam camp made merger talks between the two camps conditional to the ouster of Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *