Merger talks fail to take off as rival camps refuse to blink

  • | Tuesday | 25th April, 2017

"We are still ready to sit with them, without laying any preconditions and discuss concrete ways to strengthen the party." "For instance, someone says a committee has been constituted for talks with us and others say the committee is yet to be set up. We are ready," he said.Asked if they would ac cede to the rival camp's demands, Vaithilingam said: "There is a PIL pending in Madras HC on Jayalalithaa's death. The government is ready to set up an inquiry panel or order a CBI probe upon the court directive. After holding a meeting with the CM and senior ministers, Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam blamed the rebels of making contradictory statements.

CHENNAI: Talks on merging the two AIADMK factions were expected to begin on Monday, but with the OPS group insisting on the ouster of Sasikala clan and CBI probe into former chief minister J Jayalalithaa 's death as pre-conditions, the negotiations failed to take off. In a blunt message to EPS camp leaders, stationed at party headquarters, the rebels said they would not come to the table without these two preconditions being met.The AIADMK headquarters, in the meantime, continued to flaunt banners with photographs of V K Sasikala. The OPS group was also "infuriated" by a lead article in AIADMK organ, Dr Namadhu MGR on Monday, hailing Sasikala and deputy general secretary T T V Dhinakaran , and the vow of workers to destroy the evil forces."We had a doubt earlier. It has now been proven that the faction is still in the clutches of Sasikala family," former minister K P Munusamy told reporters, a copy of the paper in his hands. The leaders went into a huddle on Monday morning, a couple of days after setting up a seven member panel to meet EPS camp representatives.Munusamy, flanked by members of the OPS camp "think-tank", alleged there was much confusion on the other side (dominated by the senior ministers), with different voices cropping up."For instance, someone says a committee has been constituted for talks with us and others say the committee is yet to be set up. Their leaders are talking to media in an irresponsible way just like what Jayakumar said on Sunday," he said, pointing to the finance minister's offer to "give up" his portfolios for the former CM. It came close on the heels of reports of the rebels firm about not settling for anything less than the CM post for Panneerselvam AIADMK (Amma) eaders accused their rivals of stalling the merger talks. After holding a meeting with the CM and senior ministers, Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam blamed the rebels of making contradictory statements. "We are still ready to sit with them, without laying any preconditions and discuss concrete ways to strengthen the party." He said his committee comprised ministers, P Thangamani, SP Velumani, D Jayakumar, C Ve Shanmugam, presidium chairman K A Sengottaiyan and treasurer Dindigul C Sreenivasan."But they say they are not ready . We are ready," he said.Asked if they would ac cede to the rival camp's demands, Vaithilingam said: "There is a PIL pending in Madras HC on Jayalalithaa's death. The government is ready to set up an inquiry panel or order a CBI probe upon the court directive. The petition on appointment of Sasikala as general secretary is pending in the Election Commission." Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan chose twitter to retort. "Edappadi government can always file an affidavit that they are ready for a CBI probe. Will they do?" Minister KT Rajenthra Bhalaji said there was no danger to the government and that Dhinakaran should explain if he was still with the party.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles