This is our first victory: OPS on ouster of Sasikala, Dhinakaran from AIADMK

Chennai: Declaring that the ouster of TTV Dhinakaran and Sasikala Natarajan from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was their first victory, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday said that talks of the merger will now begin.

"Both the factions will talk to fulfill the aspirations of lakhs of party workers. This is our faction's first victory that Sasikala and her family have been ousted from the party," he said.

Dhinakaran today said that he had stepped aside, but he would resign only after consulting Sasikala.

Dhinakaran also called a meeting of MLAs and district secretaries today at party headquarters at 3 p.m.

Late night on Monday, several ministers of the state held a meeting to talk about the possible merger of two factions.

This comes after a section of Sasikala loyalists led by Chief Minister EK Palanisamy had revolted against her, resolving to "delink" the party and the government from her family, and extending a hand of friendship to the Panneerselvam camp.