Chennai: Former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, who heads the rebel group of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has said T.T.V Dhinakaran cannot continue as the deputy general secretary of the party “when the appointment of the general secretary (V.K. Sasikala) itself is wrong.”

Responding to Dhinakaran’s remark that he would “continue party work,” Mr Panneerselvam questioned the validity of his appointment when the appointment of the general secretary was under scrutiny. “When the appointment of the general secretary (Sasikala) itself is wrong, how can Dhinakaran continue as deputy general secretary?” he asked.

Panneerselvam, who has approached the Election Commission challenging the appointment of jailed Sasikala as the AIADMK head, said, “We are the original AIADMK. Only we will get the Two Leaves symbol of the party.” He also claimed that only the members of the AIADMK have the right to decide on whether Dhinakaran should lead the party or not.

“Others cannot talk about it,” he added. The two AIADMK factions could unite only if the demands of his AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma group, which included removal of Sasikala and her family members including Dhinakaran from the AIADMK and CBI probe into the death of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, were met.

Meanwhile, AIADMK Amma group legislator and supporter of Dhinakaran, P Vetrivel, criticised finance minister D. Jayakumar for his comments on the party's newspaper, Dr Namadhu MGR which published a critical piece on the three year achievements of the BJP government at the Centre. "Who is Jayakumar to say that the opinion of Dr Namadhu MGR is not that of the party?" the Perambur MLA asked.

Vetrivel claimed that V.K. Sasikala continued to be the party’s general secretary and “Dhinakaran is our deputy general secretary. He will only guide the party.” “While the government will function under chief minister Edappadi K. Palanisami, Dhinakaran will lead the party. There is no change in this. The party will gather strength under his leadership.”