Sources within the AIADMK say the party leadership has begun confidential discussions to bring back leaders who were expelled or split from the party, as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation after the Assembly election defeat.
According to party functionaries, several office-bearers from the southern and delta districts have urged General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to reunite the party ahead of upcoming by-elections, including by bringing AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala back into the fold.
The sources said Palaniswami’s stance has also shifted after the death of Thanjavur East district AIADMK functionary Mahendran, who died by self-immolation while insisting that the party should unite and that Palaniswami should become Chief Minister again.
A senior leader is said to be acting as an intermediary in the back-channel talks. Separately, Sasikala’s brother Divakaran, his son Jai Anand and Sasikala’s supporters reportedly held discussions at her residence in Chennai’s Poes Garden.
Supporters are said to be seeking the post of presidium chairman for Sasikala if she rejoins. Dhinakaran’s supporters are reportedly insisting on the deputy general secretary post and a Rajya Sabha MP berth, prompting talk within the AIADMK of creating six deputy general secretary positions. The party is also said to be working on a strategy to bring in younger members, while viewing unity as key to winning at least two by-election seats and preventing cadre drift to other parties.
