Tamil Nadu deal closer: OPS back as CM and EPS as AIADMK chief
April 22, 2017  10:01
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Setting the stage for a unified AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, the two rival factions in the party are said to have agreed upon a deal to reinstate rebel leader O Panneerselvam as the chief minister while current CM E K Palaniswami will take charge as the organisation's general secretary in place of the jailed V K Sasikala.

"The merger deal has been sealed and formal talks will begin now between the senior leaders of both factions to finalise and announce the decision. Palaniswami will step down for Panneerselvam, and become the party chief. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, whose properties were raided by Income Tax officials, may be dropped from the cabinet. Former minister and MLA Senthil Balaji may be inducted along with one or two more faces from southern Tamil Nadu," a senior AIADMK leader was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

According to sources, what forced the ruling faction to give up the post of chief minister was the "vulnerable state of the government'. "A revolt by just six of the 122 MLAs currently with the ruling faction will bring down the government,' said sources, referring to the majority mark in the assembly.
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