AIADMK (Amma) ministers held discussions on unity in AIADMK

Chennai: At least 25 Tamil Nadu ministers held discussions at the residence of Electricity minister Thangamani on April 17 night regarding unity
among rival AIADMK groups, particularly with the group led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam.

The ministers are said to be holding parleys regarding unity moves at a time when AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T T V
Dhinakaran faces a fresh case of alleged attempt to bribe the Election Commission to secure the AIADMK Two Leaves symbol
through a middleman Chandrasekhar at a hotel in New Delhi.

Already, a few ministers like Health minister Vijayabhaskar, Kamaraj and Udumulai Radhakrishnan face a case regarding the raids
against the Health minister, seizure of cash and documents relating to cash for votes scam in relation to the RK Nagar by-election.

Several ministers face the heat in view of the IT raids and action, besides the fresh case against Dhinakaran filed by the Delhi police
crime branch.  

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai held discussions with Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy at the State Secretariat on
April 17 which were also said to be related to the moves for unity in the party.

O Panneerselvam is away from Chennai today and is expected to return to the city on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has asked all the party MLAs to come to Chennai on Tuesday ostensibly to attend a navy function.

However, the real purpose seems to be an attempt to bring them round to the consensus move without giving room for dissensions
and to prevent any fissures in the AIADMK (Amma) Legislature Party.   

Finance minister D Jayakumar said the ministers welcomed the statement of Thiru Panneerselvam in favour of unity, and said follow-
up action would be taken regarding unity, and that steps be taken to get back the AIADMK's Two Leaves symbol.

Jayakumar said further steps would be taken after discussions. He denied that V K Sasikala had resigned from the post of general
secretary.   

The meeting also discussed steps to be taken to file affidavits before the Election Commission.

Minister Velumani said brothers would unite again. "We will work together again, and the party and government would function in
united manner".