CHENNAI: Even as discussions continued for the second day at the residences of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday, sources said the latter was firm on the formation of an 11-member steering committee to guide the affairs of the AIADMK.
This, the sources added, was a decision taken when the factions led by Palaniswami and Panneerselvam merged three years ago.
Former Minister Natham R Viswanathan, who held discussions with Palaniswami on Tuesday, called on Panneerselvam on Wednesday. According to a senior party functionary, Panneerselvam was very firm on forming the steering committee.
He said Panneerselvam was shocked when a senior minister, ignoring the formal agenda of the AIADMK executive committee meeting on September 28, suddenly spoke about deciding on a chief ministerial candidate. This triggered Panneerselvam to begin a discussion with Palaniswami.
Later on Wednesday, Panneerselvam took part in a CMDA meeting. However, he did not go to the Secretariat. AIADMK deputy coordinator KP Munusamy and Manoj Pandian also met Panneerselvam.