CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister D Jayakumar, setting the tone for the merger talks between the two factions of AIADMK, has offered to give up his ministerial berths to rebel leader O Panneerselvam if needed. As the talks are set to begin at the headquarters in Royapettah this week, Jayakumar said, “If someone has to sacrifice for the welfare of the party, let it be me. I am ready to forego my portfolios for them (OPS faction).”
The statement was shortly followed by his cabinet colleague Dindigul C Sreenivasan, who said there was more to what Jayakumar said. “The 'majority' Edappadi K Palaniswami government will complete its full term.” Both the statement's make it amply clear that their faction would in no way cede the Chief Minister's post to OPS. When asked to comment on OPS faction's insistence on the CM's post, Jayakumar evaded a direct reply. He, however, said they were open to listen to their demands. “Let them put forth their views and demands. There will naturally be demands. We can address them only through dialogue. Our doors are open for talks. Let them come to the party headquarters for the talks,” Jaya kumar said.
Sources said that the EPS faction have come out with a compromise formula. As per the proposal, the general secretary and chief minister's post would remain with EPS camp, while OPS would be offered deputy chief minister and post of party treasurer. The Edappadi Palaniswami faction would further propose two posts of a deputy general secretaries, one of which would go to OPS camp. “K Pandiarajan and S Semmalai will be offered ministerial berths, while E Madhusudhanan will be given presidium chairman's post,” said senior AIADMK MP Dhinakaran.
EPS faction leaders stated that the message has reached OPS, who has not reacted so far. Dhinakaran said three leaders - Manoj Pandian, Maitreyan, and KP Munusamy are setting down conditions like allotting certain number of seats in local body elections and next general elections for functionaries in OPS camp.
