Two AIADMK factions merge; Sasikala to be expelled

The AIADMK had split into three after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December

Tamil Nadu’s ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Monday announced the merger of the two factions — one led by Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and the other by former chief minister O Panneerselvam.

The merged factions also decided to dismiss V K Sasikala as the general secretary of the party.

Panneerselvam was sworn-in deputy CM and he will also hold the finance portfolio. Panneerselvam camp representatives were given Cabinet seats. Palaniswami remains the chief minister. The leaders of the merged factions drove to Jayalalithaa’s and MGR’s memorials at Marina Beach, before heading to Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in