The two factions of the ruling AIADMK appear to have started the process of reconciliation with the group led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami forming a seven-member team led by Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam to handle the talks.

On its part, the faction led by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has said it will set up a committee to carry out discussions for the integration.

Local Administration Minister SP Velumani told newspersons at the AIADMK headquarters that the most important concern is to redeem the party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and to remain united, he said.

Law Minister CV Shanmugam, who attended the meeting said that both factions had worked together in the past and everybody is ready to talk with each other and to resolve differences.

For the first time after taking over as AIADMK deputy general secretary, TTV Dinakaran was absent at the meeting in party head quarters. He has said he will step aside from party activities if it will help the warring groups come together.

The OPS faction is demanding that VK Sasikala, general secretary, who is in jail after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case and TTV Dinakaran, the deputy general secretary, and nephew of Sasikala, be expelled from the party.

The AIADMK headquarters that usually witnesses large number of party cadres was relatively quiet. However, it was the opposite at the OPS camp in Greenways Road that is buzzing with large number of party cadres.

After an hour-long meeting, Palaniswami left the venue without talking to media.

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