Chennai: The political turmoil in Tamil Nadu following the death of J. Jayalalithaa in December 2016 took a decisive turn yesterday with the ruling AIADMK faction deciding to ‘delink’ its jailed General Secretary V.K. Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran from all party affairs, paving the way for a merger with the rebel group headed by O. Panneerselvam.

The late-night development has come as a severe blow to Sasikala and her family which has been holding the reins of the ruling faction after ousting Panneerselvam from the Chief Minister’s chair in February. Dinakaran is the party’s Deputy General Secretary.

AIADMK sources said that the decision to ‘keep out’ Sasikala and Dinakaran was taken during a meeting held at the residence of Chief Minister E.K. Palaniswami, and attended by 12 Ministers, six MLAs and two MPs.

Sasikala will continue to lead the party on paper since the Election Commission is examining the legality of her appointment. An expulsion will be possible only after the Commission comes to a decision, sources said.

When Jayalalithaa died as Chief Minister, her live-in aide, Sasikala quickly appropriated control of AIADMK, a manoeuvre that appeared to have the backing of all party leaders.

The problem began when she tried to become Chief Minister. Panneerselvam, who was the head of the government, refused to quit. Sasikala’s political plans took a big hit when the Supreme Court in February sentenced her to jail for corruption.

Sasikala then installed E. Palaniswami as Chief Minister. Before heading for jail, Sasikala made Dinakaran, her nephew, the party No 2. She kept the rank of party chief for herself. Sasikala’s group has about 120 legislators and it is the faction of the AIADMK that is in power.

Panneerselvam’s rival group is far smaller, but includes senior leaders who disagreed with Sasikala and family being given charge of the party.

The two-leaf symbol has not been granted so far to either faction by the Election Commission. It is the best form of identity for the party among voters, so it a highly-prized asset. Both teams of the AIADMK have claimed it.

The Commission will award it to whichever group it recognises as the ‘real’ AIADMK. The other will be seen as a spin-off or breakaway faction.