Three AIADMK MLAs decline party posts offered by VK Sasikala-TTV Dinakaran faction of party

Dinakaran announced nominees for 60 posts, which included 20 sitting MLAs, 12 former ministers, one former MP, five former MLAs, one former mayor and two former councillors.

While Sriperumbudur MLA K Palani said he wanted the EPS government to continue, Panruti MLA Sathya Paneerselvam of the party’s Cuddalore east district said she did not want the post of joint secretary women’s wing as she believed following EPS was the right thing to do. Similarly, agriculture wing joint secretary and Tirupurankundram MLA AK Bose said he did not want the post as he was ill and that the posting was notified without him being consulted.

Meanwhile, RB Udayakumar was chagrined at posts being refused. “Even a unit secretary’s post would be hankered after earlier. This is the first time that party posts are being refused,” he said.

Stating that people would look askance at the party for this state of affairs, he said what was wrong was the way in which the entire exercise was undertaken.

Finance Minister D Jayakumar said, “When the EC is yet to decide about the bona fides of Sasikala being the general secretary and when Dinakaran being deputy general secretary is questionable, how can any post to which he appoints people be valid?”

Dinakaran supporters and former ministers Senthil Balaji, ND Venketachalam and A Palaniappan said, “EPS was made the CM by Sasikala with the support of all 122 MLAs. Jayakumar was given his posts by her. Ministers KA Sengottaiyan and Dindigul C Srinivaswan were made presidium chairman and treasurer respectively only at her behest.” Dinakaran supporter and Perambur MLA P Vetrivel questioned whether ministers who criticised Dinakaran’s move would resign as they were recommended for their posts by Sasikala.