AIADMK will be 'one again and without Sasikala: OPS

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 20 (ANI): Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday announced that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will be one once again, while also adding that the V.K. Sasikala clan will not be a part of the party.

While the talks of a merger between the two factions of AIADMK are on track, Panneerselvan refused to say anything until a final confirmation is made.

"Soon the talks of the merger will be over and everyone will get the good news. We can't say until then," he said.

He added that no member of the Sasikala family will be a part of the party after the merger.

On Friday, 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.

Earlier on Saturday, O. Panneerselvamon Saturday announced that there are no differences within the faction and the party will carry forward on the path of MGR and 'Amma'.

"The talks on merger are going on smoothly and in one or two days a concrete decision will be known. There are no differences within the faction. We will carry forward on the path of MGR and 'Amma'. Very soon, you can expect a good decision," Panneerselvam said.

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

According to reports, Palanisamy and Panneerselvam 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. (ANI)

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