In what can be seen as a first step in the direction of merger of two factions of AIADMK led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami or EPS and former CM O Panneerselvam or OPS, TTV Dinakaran has lost the post of party’s deputy general secretary.
Dinakaran is party’s jailed chief Sasikala’s nephew.
Chief Minister EK Palaniswami-led faction on Wednesday declared as null and void the appointment of Dinakaran as the Deputy General Secretary and all announcements made by him.
A resolution to this effect was moved at a meeting chaired by Palaniswami at the party headquarters here on Thursday.
"Dinakaran's appointment as Deputy General Secretary is illegal as per the party rules. He cannot hold any party post since he was not a party member for a continuous five years," said the resolution.
It added that a case was also pending with the Election Commission regarding his appointment. The AIADMK also said that Dinakaran was creating confusion by appointing several party office bearers. "Therefore, Dinakaran's announcements also invalid."
As per reports, the merger between the two factions was at the final stages and an announcement in this regard can be made anytime. The OPS camp's main condition for a merger was the expulsion of Sasikala and Dinakaran.
(With agency inputs)