‘Children Of Amma’ Announce Merger Of AIADMK Factions

Chennai: AIADMK factions led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam came together on Monday after a bitter split about six months ago.

A smiling K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam shook hands signifying the formal merger of both the factions at the party headquarters here. Palaniswami said Paneerselvam will be AIADMK's coordinator while he will be the joint coordinator. "The burden in my heart is gone," Panneerselvam said adding "none can separate us, we are children of Amma (late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa), we are brothers." He said the merger was not only the desire of Tamil Nadu people, but also of the of 1.5 crore AIADMK cadres.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami praised Panneerselvam for facilitating the merger, amidst thunderous applause and jubilant scenes at a crowded ceremony.

Kamal Hassan Takes Jibe At AIADMK Factions

Actor Kamal Hassan on Monday took a jibe at the coming together of the two AIADMK factions, saying it amounts to fooling the people.

"Gandhi cap, Kashmiri cap and now buffoon's cap. Have you had enough or do you want more? Tamils, please answer," Hassan tweeted. His remarks came amid the coming together of the two AIADMK factions -- one headed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and the other by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.