In a boost to the merger move, AIADMK faction led by O Panneerselvam today welcomed a probe into the death of late chief minister Jayalalithaa, saying transparent talks could be held for the party's unification.
"Victory for #OPS dharma yuddham ! All 3 key demands by OPS met decisively! Time to transparently negotiate for merger! #UnitedAdmk," former minister and a leader of Panneerselvam faction Mafoi K Pandiarajan tweeted.
However, another senior leader of the camp appeared guarded in his reaction, saying they had demanded a CBI inquiry into Jayalalithaa's death.
It was, however, the chief minister's view to have a Commission of Inquiry instead, former minister K P Munusamy said.
Asked if the prospects for merger have now brightened, he said, "as far as merger goes, it can happen only if (party chief) V K Sasikala and her family are fully ousted (expelled) from the party".
Pandiarajan said he was delighted to welcome the announcement made by Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the probe and that it was time to negotiate in a transparent manner for merger of the factions.
"Delighted to welcome 2 key moves by #EPS (Edappadi K Palaniswami) to set up judicial enquiry into Amma's expiry & to convert Veda Nilayam into Memorial! #UnitedADMK," he said in another tweet.
As preconditions for merger talks, the Panneerselvam camp has demanded a probe into the death of Jayalalithaa, conversion of her Poes Garden residence into a memorial and removal of jailed Sasikala and her family members from the AIADMK.
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