E Palaniswami will be the ruling AIADMK's Chief ministerial candidate for the Tamil Nadu election next year, his deputy and perceived rival for the post, O Panneerselvam, announced today.
The announcement came after weeks of negotiation and speculation over intense rivalry between Chief Minister E Palaniswami or "EPS", and Mr Panneerselvam.
An 11-member steering committee of the party will look at "collective leadership", said Mr Panneerselvam, also known as "OPS", recalling the leadership of J Jayalalithaa, the former AIADMK chief and Chief Minister who died in 2016.
Talks reportedly went on till 3.30 am this morning, in the hours leading up to the announcement that delivers, for now, a delicate balance of power between EPS and OPS.
Posters projecting OPS as chief ministerial candidate had led to talk about another intense tussle between the AIADMK's top two.
But after several rounds of talks, the party has apparently settled for a truce in which EPS heads the government while OPS will have a greater say in the party.
The pact is crucial ahead of the return of VK Sasikala, the ousted AIADMK chief who was jailed for corruption. Sasikala is likely to be released from jail in January though reports suggest it could be earlier.
"Ignore...": Actor Vijay's Party Junks AIADMK Tie-Up Buzz Before 2026 Election DMK Takes Threat From Actor Vijay Seriously, Starts Prep For 2026 Assembly Polls "My Experience Is More Than Your Age": E Palaniswami To Udhayanidhi Stalin Explained: Why Delhi's AQI Was 494 Today But International Monitor Said 1,600 Air India Flight From Paris Diverted To Jaipur, Fliers Sent To Delhi On Bus Emergency Landing, Fliers Stuck For 3 Days In Phuket; Air India Responds Curfew Relaxed In 4 Districts, Internet Suspension Lifted In Manipur Man Threatens YouTuber Sourav Joshi, Claims Links With Lawrence Bishnoi Gang PM Modi To Inaugurate Kashmir To Delhi Vande Bharat Express In January Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.