Chennai: The migration has begun. In a body blow to the rebel TTV Dhinakaran camp five days after Two Leaves symbol was allotted to the EPS-OPS headed AIADMK, three Rajya Sabha MPs met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and declared that they have returned to the “parent party.”
The MPs — A. Navaneethakrishnan, who was considered quite close to the V. K. Sasikala family and had represented Ilavarasi in the disproportionate assets (DA) case -- Gokulakrishnan and Vijila Sathyanand met Palaniswami at his residence here, in what is seen just as the beginning of the migration from the beleaguered TTV camp.
However, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his supporters were conspicuous by their absence. Navaneethakrishnan's support to Palaniswami is being seen as a shot in the arm for the unified AIADMK since he holds the crucial post of the party's floor leader in Rajya Sabha. Sources said talks began on Wednesday, a day before the EC recognised the EPS-OPS faction as the AIADMK and allotted Two Leaves symbol to them.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many who are waiting to jump the ship and it will happen quite soon. Most of the MPs and MLAs owing allegiance to Dhinakaran are in touch with us. They will meet the Chief Minister in groups by jumping the ship,” a senior leader said, adding that “Two Leaves” did the magic since many leaders feel the party is where the symbol is.
Sources who are aware of the talks said barring a few MLAs and two or three MPs, all of them would be associating themselves with EPS-OPS in the next couple of days. Forest Minister Dindigul C. Srinivasan said all those supporting Dhinakaran should “reform them” and return to the parent party to work under Palaniswami and Panneerselvam.
While Navaneethakrishnan was not available for comments, Gokulakrishnan and Sathyanand said they came back because the “Two Leaves” symbol was now with the EPS and OPS.
“Two Leaves is the symbol of AIADMK and we are true AIADMK loyalists and workers. So, since the symbol is with the CM and deputy CM, we have met Palaniswami and expressed our willingness to work for the party,”
Gokulakrishnan said. Echoing similar sentiments, Sathyanand said the party is where the Two Leaves symbol is and hence she decided to associate herself with the new leadership.
Claiming victory, AIADMK governing council member Tamil Magan Hussain said the support of three MPs would strengthen the party further and appealed to all those aligned with Dhinakaran to return immediately.
