CHENNAI: AIADMK factions led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam came together today after a bitter split about six months ago.
A smiling K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam shook hands signifying the formal merger of both the factions at the party headquarters here.
Palaniswami said Paneerselvam will be AIADMK's coordinator while he will be the joint coordinator.
First slated to happen on Friday, the merger had to be put off because a section in the rebel camp was not happy with the compromise formula. It forced OPS to listen to his men at a night-long meeting.
On Saturday, both sides stated that they had come closer to forging rapprochement. Despite a section criticising the inquiry commission the CM had agreed to form to probe the death of party icon J Jayalalithaa, the rebels quietly formed a six-member committee and held talks with their counterparts.
Finally after hours and hours of deliberations in both camps the deal has been signed and the two parties have come together .
RELATED REPORTS:
HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:
MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran will meet Governor on Tuesday at 10 am, and V Maitreyan, MP, supporting OPS, will meet the Governor at 10.30 am
The public meeting scheduled for August 23 by TTV Dhinakaran supporters in Chennai stands postponed.
According to by-law of the party, they don't have rights to do this, everything happening in party HQ is forgery: P.Vetrivel, TTV Dinakaran camp (ANI)
TTV faction MLAs to meet Tamil Nadu Governor on Tuesday at 10 AM.
TTV faction MLAs question why they weren't consulted before merger with OPS faction.
18 MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran reach former TN CM J Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach and sit in meditation.
TTV Dinakaran says he will meet the media on August 23 as the doctor has advised him rest for a sore throat and fever.
23 MLAs in support of TTV Dinakaran, claim sources
Merger brought tremendous joy to lakhs of party followers. I share the same joy: OPS after taking charge as Deputy chief minister (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates O Panneerselvam in a tweet, says Centre assures all possible support to CM Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam for the growth of TN.
O Panneerselvam assumes charge as Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu at secretariat in the presence of TN CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.
It's an act of making fool of people, party cadre. Been saying that this govt is most corrupt: V Pugalendi, TTV Dinakaran- VK Sasikala faction (ANI)
Bad time begins for TTV Dinakaran. Whoever thinks bad for Amma's govt will be ousted: AIADMK leader D Jayakumar (ANI)
K Pandiarajan swears in as minister for Tamil Official Language & Tamil Culture.
Panneerselvam will also hold the portfolios of Housing, Rural Housing and Housing Development, Slum Clearance Board and Accommodation Control, Town Planning, Urban Development and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
O Panneerselvam takes oath as Finance minister at Raj Bhavan.
United AIADMK at Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers
OPS and EPS, after joining hands, arrive at Jayalalithaa memorial to pay homage to the late leader. (Read more)
7 lakh affidavits with EC in favour of Sasikala being general secretary. No legal action can be taken now says CR Saraswathi of TTV Dinakaran-VK Sasikala faction.
R Vaithilingam has announced that a general council meeting will be convened soon to remove VK Sasikala as general secretary of the party.
O Panneerselvam to become deputy CM. Mafoi K Pandiarajan gets Cabinet berth. Swearing in of Deputy CM and minister to take place at 4.30 pm.
K P Munusamy of OPS camp speaks at the merger meeting.
Our first priority will be to retrieve the two leaves symbol. We will fulfill all the promises made by Amma, says Edappadi K Palaniswami after merger
I will be co-convener. K. P. Munusamy will be deputy co-convener: TN CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.
11-member panel to lead the party. O Panneerselvam to be the Party convenor, announces EPS.
OPS, EPS express that Amma's soul will be at peace. There will be no differences between the factions, says EPS.
We had lots of disagreements, says Edappadi K Palaniswamy.
No clarity on Sasikala's future in the party yet.
The factions have merged due to the desire of the cadres, says O Panneerselvam.
O Panneerselvam addresses the party functionaries at the AIADMK headquarters.
O Panneerselvam has reportedly visited AIADMK headquarters after a gap of six and a half months. The last time he was here was on February 5 for electing V K Sasikala as the chief minister.
O Panneerselvam arrives at AIADMK headquarters to a rousing reception.
All demands have been met, we are happy with everything. Heading to party office, expect good news: OPS faction leader S Semallai - ANI
Finance Minister D Jayakumar and senior leaders waiting to receive O Panneerselvam at AIADMK headquarters.
Supporters of OPS including Manoj Pandian arrive at AIADMK headquarters.
Edappadi K Palaniswami arrives at AIADMK headquarters.
Senior AIADMK (Amma) leaders say EPS will be arriving at party headquarters soon.
Three members of Edappadi K Palaniswamy camp, ministers SP Velumani, P Thangamani, and MP Vaithilingam, holding talks with O Panneerselvam.
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami postpones his visit to AIADMK headquarters for the time being. His convoy alert has been withdrawn.
AIADMK cadre gathered at party headquarters to witness the factions' is dispersing slowly after hearing about an alleged hitch in the talks.
Though the ministers and office bearers of both AIADMK factions have arrived, Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami has not yet reached the party headquarters.
16 MLAs reach TTV Dhinkaran's house. - TV Reports
Finance Minister D Jayakumar arrives at AIADMK headquarters.
Rebel camp has reportedly demanded Sasikala's ouster from the party. However, the sources said that the EPS faction is hesitant as 16 MLAs are with TTV Dhinakaran and have stated that the Election Commission will take the final call.
Party MLAs and workers reach party headquarter in Chennai.
Rebel AIADMK chief O Panneerselvam getting ready for reunion, will step into party HQ in 30 minutes
Earlier in the day, BJP president Amit Shah cancelled his scheduled Tamil Nadu visit. [FULL REPORT]
The Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Ch Vidyasagar Rao has cancelled all his engagements for the day in Mumbai and is shortly leaving for Chennai this morning. Although his office did not disclose the purpose of his visit to Chennai, it comes in the context of moves by both factions of the AIADMK, led by O Panneerselvan and Edappadi K Palaniswami, to merge. The merger deal is expected today.
The general council of AIADMK will be convened soon after the merger of factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the rebel leader O Pannneerselvam is formalised. [FULL REPORT]
(with inputs from PTI)