AIADMK 'United' Again: EPS, OPS announce merger; likely to join hands with NDA

 Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) is all set to be the Deputy Chief Minister under the merged All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in the state.

He will also be given the additional charge of Finance Ministry and will be sworn-in at 4:30 p.m. today.

Earlier, in what can be dubbed as a political turnaround in a state that was embroiled in a political drama till not so long ago, the two warring factions of the AIADMK - one led by Chief Minister E. Palanisamy (EPS) and the other by OPS - announced a merger, citing that "MGR always wanted to see us united, not split."

The striking part of the merger is that EPS has taken a backseat in the party, declaring OPS as the convenor of the party. EPS will be the co-convenor.

EPS will continue to be the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

EPS, while addressing a press briefing here, said that there will be 11 people in a committee to co-ordinate in the merger.