AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran in Chennai on Monday, former AIADMK coordinator O. Greeting Panneerselvam. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Expelled AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran met on Monday and decided to “make a working arrangement” between their groups.defeat the traitorsand the common enemy, the DMK.
Political affairs advisor to the group headed by Mr. Panneerselvam, former minister Panruti S. According to Ramachandran, it would be similar to the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI (Marxist). Speaking to reporters, Mr. Dinakaran and Mr. Ramachandran said the move was aimed at “liberating the AIADMK from the clutches of those who had nothing to do with the organisation’s core principles”.
This was the highlight of the meeting held at Mr. Dhinakaran’s residence in Adyar, Chennai, in which Mr. Panneerselvam, Mr. Ramachandran, former MP, SPM Syed Khan, and AMMK Deputy General Secretary and former Minister, G. Senthameezan was among those present.
After campaigning by Mr. Panneerselvam’ ‘Dharma Yudham’ It was the first meeting held in public glare, in early 2017, to protest against the control of former interim general secretary, VK Sasikala (Dinarkan’s aunt) over the party’s affairs. In July 2017, the two leaders met at the residence of a “common friend” in Chennai, details of which became public in October 2018. At the time of the July 2017 meeting, Mr. Panneerselvam was leading the campaign and was being supported by the then Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, now the general secretary of the AIADMK, tried to merge his faction with the faction led by him.
Mr. Dhinakaran, Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Ramachandran briefed reporters about their discussion that lasted for about 40 minutes, saying that their decision to work together was a “reflection” of the rank-and-file’s desire of both entities. “We are only fulfilling his wish,” said Mr. Ramachandran. Mr. Dhinakaran insisted that he had “no ill-will” towards Mr. Panneerselvam and that the two had been in touch with each other for quite some time.
As far as meeting Ms Sasikala is concerned, the former AIADMK coordinator said he would “definitely” meet her. The meeting could not take place now as she was not available and he was also leaving from Chennai on Tuesday.
On the BJP’s role, Mr. Dhinakaran said the AMMK was “neither pressured nor advised” by the national party. Mr Ramachandran said it was only Mr Palaniswami and his allies who were saying that their alliance with the BJP would continue. So far, “there was no word from the national leadership,” he argued.
On his meeting with Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son-in-law V. Sabarisan during an IPL cricket tournament match at the Chepauk Stadium on Saturday, Mr. Panneerselvam said it was a “courtesy call” and the meeting was attended by several spectators.