TN CM Palaniswami orders judicial probe into Jayalalithaa's death

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday ordered a judicial probe into the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, one of the main conditions put forward the AIADMK faction led by O Panneerselvam for the merger of the two factions.

The move comes after beleaguered AIADMK leader TTK Dinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK chief VK Sasikala, held a show of strength rally in Madurai earlier this week in which 20 party and independent legislators participated.

Chief minister EK Palaniswami had removed Dinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary of AIADMK earlier this month.

Sasikala is serving a prison term in a disproportionate assets case in which late chief minister Jayalalithaa was the main accused.

Palaniswami also announced that Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa, Veda Nilayam, will be turned into a museum.

The other precondition that the Panneerselvam-led Puratchi Thalaivi Amma



faction set for talks included removal of jailed AIADMK chief VK Sasikala and her family members from the party.

The merger is crucial for the AIADMK to get back its two leaves election symbol that the poll panel had suspended after the split.

Also, a united party will boost its prospects in the upcoming civic polls against a resurgent rival, the DMK.

A formula for unification is being worked out. The plan says Palanisami will continue as the chief minister and his sacked predecessor, Panneerselvam, could be made the party's general secretary. And at least two of his followers may be inducted into the ministry.

However, a decision on the party's top post will be taken later as Sasikala's election as general secretary is pending before the Election Commission. If the poll panel rules against her, OPS could be made the party chief. He may also be offered the deputy chief minister's post.