Explorer

AIADMK 'united' again: OPS to be Dy. CM, to be sworn-in at 4:30 p.m. today

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 21 (ANI): Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) is all set to be the Deputy Chief Minister under the merged All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in the state.

He will also be given the additional charge of Finance Ministry and will be sworn-in at 4:30 p.m. today.

Earlier, in what can be dubbed as a political turnaround in a state that was embroiled in a political drama till not so long ago, the two warring factions of the AIADMK - one led by Chief Minister E. Palanisamy (EPS) and the other by OPS - announced a merger, citing that "MGR always wanted to see us united, not split."

The striking part of the merger is that EPS has taken a backseat in the party, declaring OPS as the convenor of the party. EPS will be the co-convenor.

EPS will continue to be the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

EPS, while addressing a press briefing here, said that there will be 11 people in a committee to co-ordinate in the merger.

There was no mention of jailed AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala in the press statement.

"We will get the party symbol back and will defeat the enemy. Jayalalithaa had said before that after me, the AIADMK will be there for 100 years. We all will make it sure," he added.

"We all are children of one mother, and Amma (Jayalalithaa) is that one mother."

Earlier, Panneerselvam had announced that the AIADMK would be one once again, while also adding that the Sasikala clan would not be a part of the party.

The OPS faction, despite welcoming the probe into Jayalalithaa's death, also contemplated on seeking the expulsion of jailed AIADMK general secretary Sasikala from the party as the final pre-requisite before joining hands with the EPS camp.

The formal expulsion of jailed party general secretary and her kin, including deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran, from the AIADMK was the other major demand.

The much-anticipated merger of the two warring factions of the AIADMK, however, hit a last-minute roadblock on Friday.

According to reports, EPS and OPS were expected to make a joint appearance at Jayalalithaa's memorial in Chennai and announce the merger.

The security was also stepped up at the Jayalalithaa mausoleum at Marina Beach late in the evening.

The leaders of both the factions, however, started to leave the venue, hinting towards a disruption of the talks again.

Party sources said there were few issues that were to be addressed by both groups, but didn't elaborate further.

The political drama in the state unfolded just after the verdict on the disproportionate assets case involving late J. Jayalalithaa and Sasikala was announced and the latter was sentenced to serve the remainder of her jail term. (ANI)


This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI

View More
Advertisement

IPL Auction 2025

Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Virat Kohli
₹21 CR
Josh Hazlewood
₹12.50 CR
Phil Salt
₹11.50 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rishabh Pant
₹27 CR
Nicholas Pooran
₹21 CR
Ravi Bishnoi
₹11 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Jasprit Bumrah
₹18 CR
Suryakumar Yadav
₹16.35 CR
Hardik Pandya
₹16.35 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Heinrich Klaasen
₹23 CR
Pat Cummins
₹18 CR
Abhishek Sharma
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad
₹18 CR
Ravindra Jadeja
₹18 CR
Matheesha Pathirana
₹13 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Shreyas Iyer
₹26.75 CR
Arshdeep Singh
₹18 CR
Yuzvendra Chahal
₹18 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Sanju Samson
₹18 CR
Yashaswi Jaiswal
₹18 CR
Riyan Parag
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Venkatesh Iyer
₹23.75 CR
Rinku Singh
₹13 CR
Varun Chakaravarthy
₹12 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rashid Khan
₹18 CR
Shubman Gill
₹16.50 CR
Jos Buttler
₹15.75 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Axar Patel
₹16.50 CR
KL Rahul
₹14 CR
Kuldeep Yadav
₹13.25 CR
View all
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Who Will Be The Next Maharashtra CM? Mahayuti Leaders Huddle At Amit Shah’s Residence As Suspense Continues
Who Will Be The Next CM? Mahayuti Leaders Huddle At Amit Shah’s Residence As Suspense Continues
'Ensure Religious Freedom, Security': Sheikh Hasina Slams Chinmoy Das' Arrest, Demands Immediate Release
Sheikh Hasina Slams Bangladesh Hindu Monk Chinmoy Das' Arrest, Demands Immediate Release
Who is Vishnu Gupta, Hindu Sena Chief Behind Plea Claiming Existence Of Shiva Temple At Ajmer Dargah
Who is Vishnu Gupta, Hindu Sena Chief Behind Plea Claiming Existence Of Shiva Temple At Ajmer Dargah
Priyanka Gandhi's Kasavu Saree During Parliament Oath Evokes Memories Of Grandmother Indira
Priyanka Gandhi's Kasavu Saree During Parliament Oath Evokes Memories Of Grandmother Indira
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Breaking News: Controversy Erupts Over Claim of Temple Inside Ajmer Dargah in RajasthanBreaking News: ED Team Attacked in Delhi's Bijwasan Area | ABP NewsSambhal Mosque Clash: Tightened Security Ahead of Namaz Following Violence | ABP NewsShocking Video from Sambhal Mosque Clash Day Will Leave You Stunned | ABP News
Embed widget