AIADMK merger done, Panneerselvam is Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu

AIADMK factions led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam have announced merger on Monday. The two rivals came together after a bitter split about six months ago.

O Panneerselvam has been sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister and will also have the portfolio of Finance.

A smiling K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam shook hands signifying the formal merger of both the factions at the party headquarters. Palaniswami said Paneerselvam will be AIADMK's coordinator while he will be the joint coordinator.

“The burden in my heart is gone,” Panneerselvam said adding “none can separate us, we are children of Amma (late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa), we are brothers.”

He said the merger was not only the desire of Tamil Nadu people, but also of the of 1.5 crore AIADMK cadres.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Vaithilingam said, “Sasikala will be removed from the post of AIADMK General Secretary soon”.

Speaking at the head office, E Palaniswami says, “Our first priority will be to retrieve the two leaves symbol. We will fulfill all the promises made by Amma. Amma has said before that after me AIADMK will last over 100 years. We all will make sure it happens”.

Office of O Pannerselvam tweeted the proceedings of the merger: