OPS camp wants 3 demands met before merger of AIADMK factions: Ma Foi Pandiarajan

AIADMK leader K Pandiarajan gave a veiled threat to the EPS faction of the party while speaking exclusively to India Today on the likely merger of the camps.

"Remember 95 percent of the party cadre are with us. Only 5 percent is with you. We can't wait too long," he said.

The leader, also popularly known as Ma Foi Pandiarajan, belongs to the O Panneerselvam (OPS) camp. He spoke at length on the exact status of the merger between the two factions of the party.

The leader confirmed that the EPS team had sent an SMS invite for the talk asking the OPS faction to call back. Further, Pandiarajan said that the CM's post was negotiable and there were no pre-condition for the talks. He also directed Jaya TV and Namadhu MGR to stop singing praise of Sasikala.

OPS FACTION'S DEMANDS

The OPS faction has put forward three demands before a pact.

1. Remove Sasikala family
2. Withdraw affidavits in Election Commission
3. Order inquiry into Jayalalithaa's death

Here are the excerpts from his interview to India Today:

Q: When will the merger happen?

A: Madhusudhanan gave a press release the posters of Sasikala to be removed. It has been removed. TTV Dinakaran arrest is a blot to AIADMK. This has never happened in the history of AIADMK.

In the fitness of events we hope they heed to our demands. One of it is remove Sasikala family from the AIADMK. And the next is to take back the affidavits which have been submitted to the Election Commission. Which I think they have started redoing the affidavits are taking place. The name of Edapaddi has started being used in the affidavits. So that's the second condition. The third condition is to call for an inquiry into Amma's untimely death. So these are the three conditions. We are hoping for them to move on in this one after the other. And if these gets fulfilled. A committee can be formed. We will engage in good time once the conditions are met. For one, to have inquiry initiated into Jayalalithaa's death, and our view is they will.

Q: Did EPS faction reach out to you?

A: They did reach out to us. Not as of yesterday morning. Only SMS invite happened. Which said call back. We did call back. We also raised the issue of Jaya TV and Namadhu MGR singing praise of Sasikala family till yesterday. We don't know what will be tomorrow.

We told that you have all powerful CM so they are powerful enough to meet these conditions for their own good. Some are happening. Good beginnings have started we like them to move in that direction. We want them to move little more in that direction. Then we will surely engage in negotiations. We believe that large section of people want this merger to happen. And we think it's happening. The conditions are ripening for the merger to happen.

They have been responding to each of these conditions. One of it was the for CBI inquiry for which they said that there is a PIL in the court. So they are awaiting for a judgment. They said they will act after the judgment. But we said that judicial process is different from investigative process. They have said they will look at it. They have to implement.

Q: Is OPS for CM's post a condition?

A: We have only three conditions to start the negotiations. The rest of it we can discuss face to face including party structure. It can be discussed inside four walls. These are negotiable. Initially they have been denying merger talks but now they are more than willingly saying that they want negotiations. The local body elections have to be conducted before July as per the High Court order. I believe today more than 95 percent of party has shown their allegiance to OPS. So they can't go out and even seek votes. They know it as much as they know. So they will come back.

Q: Any deadline?

A: We like to see these conditions met ASAP. And they can do it in a week. For us reunification is only looking at 5 per cent of the rank and file. For them, it is 95 per cent which is with us. So we want them to see the reality. Let them do it in 24 hours and we will be at negotiating table.

Q: Has BJP played any role?

A: I have always said this. OPS is purely driven by his own conscience and the spirit of Amma. And by nobody else. I don't think there is any other influence last of all is BJP.

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