Edappadi K Palaniswami on full-scale war against TTV Dinakaran, Sasikala

“Dinakaran announcing new office-bearers on his own on August 4 will not bind any AIADMK cadre to create unnecessary confusion in our party and such appointments are not valid under the party law. Cadre are requested to reject them,” a release said. 

It also said that Dinakaran could not hold any post in the party as he was not a continuous member for five years as required. “The Election Commission has refused to consider AIADMK’s letter in support of his elevation as his name was not included among office-bearers nominated by Jayalalithaa,” the release added. 

The release from AIADMK headquarters signed by the Chief Minister and senior party leaders in party’s official letterhead claimed that party cadre did not wish to 

see any other person occupy the AIADMK general secretary’s post other than the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Significantly, the release stated that though Sasikala’s appointment as general secretary was till such time the formal election of a new general secretary as per party laws, she could not function in view of extraordinary circumstances in an apparent reference to her getting jailed in the disproportionate assets case. Also, Sasikala’s appointment was challenged and it is pending in the EC, the meeting noted. Under such circumstances, the party was being run by top functionaries appointed by Amma, it said, in an apparent reference to the EPS camp. 

Earlier in the day, EPS chaired a meeting of ministers and party MLAs at the Lloyd’s Road party headquarters to discuss the recent announcements by TTV on appointment of party functionaries besides other developments.  

With the AIADMK (PTA) faction led by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam insisting on the ouster of Sasikala and her family members from party and government and a probe into the late CM’s death, the move by EPS is expected to bring the two factions closer to a merger.