Chennai: Functionaries of AIADMK’s Thanjavur district unit on Monday urged party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to facilitate the return of AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran to the AIADMK.At AIADMK’s post-poll review meeting held in Chennai, the functionaries said induction of TTV Dhinakaran into the party would strengthen the organisation and lift cadre morale amidst the exodus of senior leaders. Partymen said EPS did not reject the idea as he used to do in the past, but responded with a question on the possibility of the induction when Dhinakaran was heading a party.“I conveyed to our general secretary the views of cadres that Dhinakaran should be brought back into AIADMK. I told him it will strengthen the party in the delta and southern districts,” Kumbakonam branch secretary Padma Kumaresan told TOI after the meeting with Thanjavur district functionaries, organised by EPS to review AIADMK’s electoral performance.Kumaresan said Palaniswami heard him patiently before replying with a smile, “He is the leader of another party. How is that possible?”Kumaresan then urged EPS to initiate talks with Dhinakaran, adding that cadres in both parties favoured such a move.The demand comes amid resignations of senior leaders including MLAs and former ministers from AIADMK leaving a huge void in the party, especially in central districts.Meanwhile, there were desertions from AMMK too, weakening the party. AMMK’s lone MLA has also switched sides and has become an TVK supporter. Nevertheless, Dhinakaran continues to wield influence among a section of mukkulathors in the central districts.Dhinakaran camp was cautious in responding to the demand.Senior AMMK functionary P S Karikalan said the demand has been gaining ground for some time. “Now they have directly asked EPS. But our leader has not taken any decision in this regard,’’ said an AMMK functionary. Karikalan however added that there was nothing surprising in the demand as Dhinakaran himself had said that “AIADMK and AMMK functionaries were all children of the same mother.”Meanwhile, Palaniswami said several forces were trying to weaken the AIADMK. Speaking at the review meeting he said the party would rise “like a phoenix” despite attempts to `destroy’ it.
