Chennai, May 23 (IANS) Signs of a possible thaw have begun to emerge within the AIADMK, with reconciliation efforts gathering momentum after the party’s internal rebellion appeared to lose steam following Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s decision to complete his Cabinet expansion by inducting representatives from alliance partners VCK and IUML.

Political observers believe the latest development may have altered the calculations of dissident leaders, opening the door for negotiations aimed at restoring unity within the principal opposition party.

Sources within the party said informal channels have already been activated, with “negotiation teams” consisting of senior well-wishers and leaders maintaining contacts with both camps. These intermediaries are understood to be working behind the scenes to bridge differences between the faction led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and leaders associated with the rebel group headed by C. Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani.

According to party sources, the EPS camp has reportedly insisted that the rebel faction withdraw its representation before the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a key condition for any reconciliation process.

The dissident leaders, meanwhile, are said to have demanded that party functionaries removed during the recent disciplinary action be reinstated to their respective organisational posts before formal unity discussions progress further.

The dispute escalated after members of the rebel camp approached the Election Commission under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which deals with disputes involving splinter groups or rival factions in recognised political parties.

However, leaders close to the dissident camp clarified that the move was not intended to seek freezing of the AIADMK’s iconic “Two Leaves” symbol. “This petition can be withdrawn if both sides arrive at a common understanding,” a source associated with the rebel camp said, indicating that negotiations remain open.

The latest signals of reconciliation emerged shortly after Vijay expanded his Cabinet by inducting VCK legislator Vanni Arasu and IUML MLA A.M. Shahjahan, taking the ministry’s strength to 35 members.

Soon after the expansion, S.P. Velumani asserted that there was no split within AIADMK and urged EPS to initiate discussions on the party’s disappointing electoral performance.

Political circles are closely watching whether the reconciliation efforts evolve into a formal reunification process, as AIADMK seeks to rebuild itself after the recent electoral setback.

–IANS

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