Reconsider decision, Edappadi K Palanisamy camp tells OPS

Jayakumar, a senior leader of the AIADMK Amma faction, said their stand remained the same, which is to hold talks and merge the two groups. “They (Panneerselvam camp) should come back,” he said adding, “Only with that intention the doors were opened to them and that is the stand even today.” He said the former chief minister-led faction “should reconsider the decision.” 

Earlier on Sunday night, OPS made the announcement at a public meeting at Tiruverkadu in Tiruvallur district catching his own supporters by surprise and put an end to a failed merger initiative that never took off despite strong rumours that there was a patch-up mechanism in place and that the rebel camp would soon join the fold. 

The former chief minister’s move to disband the seven-member merger talks committee headed by former minister KP Munusamy, caught the rival AIADMK (Amma) group by surprise  on Monday. 

However, the reaction in the OPS camp to the said decision was positive with functionaries from the districts continuing to swell the ranks. 

Nearly 500 functionaries, including former mayor Savithri Gopal from Thanjavur district, threw in their lot with OPS group on Monday. Madurai North MLA Rajan Chellappa said the move was expected as it was he who first asked the AIADMK (A) merger talks committee headed by R Vaithilingam to be wound up. 

However, deputy speaker Pollachi K Jayaraman felt that OPS statement would hurt the sentiments of committed party workers while Tirupparankundram MLA AK Bose. He felt that there might be an ulterior motive for the talks being scuttled in such a way. 

Former district secretary S Murthy, who claims to be impartial, said, “It is better to wait for some time to see the outcome.”