Tamil Nadu Guv Likely to Meet Sasikala, AIADMK MLAs on Thursday
Panneerselvam will be meeting C Vidyasagar Rao, the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
- TN Guv will reportedly meet Sasikala on Thursday afternoon
- Sasikala said she’s not afraid of sitting for any probe into Amma’s death
- BJP’s Subramanian Swamy said “some BJP members” are behind the ongoing tussle
- EC seeks clarification from AIADMK on Sasikala’s appointment as party chief
- 130 MLAs supporting Sasikala moved to undisclosed location, media reports say
- “DMK wants to split AIADMK… traitors never win,” Sasikala said
- On Tuesday, caretaker Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam alleged he was forced to resign to make way for Sasikala
AIADMK MPs Arrive in Delhi
AIADMK MPs have arrived in the capital in light of the ongoing tussle in Tamil Nadu.
On being asked about Panneerselvam, MP Thambidurai said:
Guv Rao Likely to Meet Sasikala Tomorrow Afternoon
Tamil Nadu Governor, C Vidyasagar Rao, is expected to meet Sasikala tomorrow afternoon, reports NDTV.
If the meeting takes place, Sasikala will formally present proof of her winning majority support in the party, for her induction as Chief Minister.
Tamil Nadu Guv to Arrive in Chennai Tomorrow
Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasagar Rao will be arriving in Chennai tomorrow afternoon, reports Times Now. At a press conference, he made a reference to the controversy surrounding his absence and added that he was happy being where he is.
DMK Behind OPS' Revolt, Says Sasikala
Sasikala said she was hurt by Panneerselvam’s revolt. They had a pleasant meeting on 5 December and she wondered why it took him 48 hours to make these "false accusations". She said time will tell who is behind his revolt.
'Amma Even Watched TV on Her Last Day'
A tear-eyed Sasikala said she alone could understand the grief caused by Amma’s death and describe how she dedicated her life to taking care of her.
I'm Not Scared of Any Probe, Asserts Sasikala
Sasikala said OPS’ revolt amounted to a betrayal of Amma.
She said she felt saddened by what OPS is insinuating.
OPS Has Made False Accusations: Sasikala
VK Sasikala said she has staked claim to be Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and has intimated the Governor, but has got no response. She said it's incumbent on the Governor to invite her to form the government. She has written to governor C Vidyasagar Rao both in Chennai and in Mumbai, effectively taking on the Centre.
She said she felt betrayed by Panneerselvam’s revolt and called him a pacchai drogi – a naked and open traitor.
In an interview with CNN-News18, she said:
Sasikala said everyone gathered at the party headquarters on Wednesday and told her:
She reportedly told them that "time is the best reply".
Rao Unfit to be Governor, Says Swamy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, while speaking to CNN-News18, said that some “BJP members may be behind the ongoing crisis in Tamil Nadu”.
He said that Governor Rao has been “missing in action” and that a poster should be put out asking for his whereabouts.
Swamy said that he welcomes the probe recommended by Panneerselvam into Jayalalithaa’s death, though he “does not suspect any foul play”.
Support to Panneerselvam Only Issue-Based: DMK's Stalin
Refuting AIADMK’s allegation that it was aiding Panneerselvam in his revolt against his party’s leadership, DMK said its support to him was issue-based.
EC Official Denies Flouting of Rules
The Election Commission has sought “response” from the AIADMK after Sasikala Pushpa, a sacked party member, questioned VK Sasikala’s elevation as head of the ruling Tamil Nadu party and sought its intervention, poll panel officials said on Wednesday.
Dhirender Ojha, Director, Election Commission told IANS that Pushpa’s petition was forwarded it to the AIADMK party for their response but there has been “no further development since then”.
Ojha said the commission had also received the names of new office bearers from the AIADMK “with a copy of the resolution” endorsing VK Sasikala as the new party head. “The (AIADMK) resolution copy was in Tamil so the ECI has requested a translated copy in English as well from the AIADMK.”
BJP Instructed Governor Not to Go to Chennai, Alleges Congress
Levelling fresh allegations against the BJP, Congress said that the party is “unconstitutionally” trying to fish in troubled waters of Tamil Nadu. It also said that the BJP has instructed Governor Rao to not go to the state.
130 AIADMK MLAs Shifted to an Undisclosed Location
According to news reports, 130 MLAs supporting Sasikala have been shifted to a high-end hotel at an undisclosed location before Governor Rao reaches Chennai.
Reports also stated that the MLAs could be flown to New Delhi to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.
Sasikala Sacks IT Wing Secretary
AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, on Wednesday, sacked party’s Information Technology Wing Secretary G Ramachandran for anti-party activities.
VVR Raj Sathyan has been appointed in his place.
Ramachnadran later said: “Amma had appointed me. I have been sacked because I supported OPS. I congratulate the new person, but will continue to work on Amma’s path.”
We've Gambled Away Our Freedom: Kamal Hassan
Amid uncertainty in Tamil Nadu, actor Kamal Hassan took to Twitter to say: “We are gambling away our freedom through corrupt politicians. Instead of playing the blame game, let us do work that is beyond blame. Possible? (sic)”
'Traitors Have Neven Won'
Sasikala questioned Panneerselvam’s silence after the party meet on 5 February that decided on her elevation as the CM.
“I will clear all the confusion in the next few days,” she said.
“Enemies of the AIADMK are coming at us one after the other, but they will only face defeat,” she said, urging party members to work for the unity of the AIADMK.
'Will Not Deviate From Amma's Path,' Says Sasikala
Sasikala responded to Panneerselvam’s accusations during the meeting at AIADMK headquarters saying: “if someone takes us for a ride, it will not be tolerated”.
She accused Panneerselvam of collaborating with the Opposition. He is “playing the dirty games of the DMK,” she said.
After Panneerselvam stated on Tuesday that he was “forced to resign” from the CM’s post to make way for Sasikala, she clarified that she did not call for the party’s legislature meeting on 5 February.
Governor Is Right to Defer Sasikala's Appointment: Soli Sorabjee
Commenting on TN Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao’s failure to return to Chennai from Mumbai on Wednesday, former Advocate General of India Soli Sorabjee said that Rao was right “to defer Sasikala's swearing-in”
Sorabjee, a constitutional expert, said if the Supreme Court overturns the Madras High Court ruling and finds Sasikala guilty of corruption, she cannot assume office of the CM in any case. The SC verdict is expected next week.
EC's Jolt to AIADMK
The Election Commission may send a notice to the AIADMK, seeking a clarification on whether the party’s constitution was followed while appointing Sasikala as the General Secretary, according to media reports.
It may also question her elevation as there is no post of interim general secretary in the AIADMK.
'I Was Made CM Twice. Amma Wanted It’
Panneerselvam addresses media outside his residence.
While swearing loyalty to Amma, he said: “I happened to become the CM twice as it was Amma’s wish and have followed Amma's path.”
He informed that has recommended an enquiry into Amma’s death under a sitting Supreme Court judge. “It’s duty of the state government to enquire,” he says.
DMK, too, welcomed the move to probe “doubts” regarding her health.
Panneerselvam sought Jaya’s niece Deepa Jayakumar (Jayalalithaa's niece) support.
“I will accept her support, if offered,” he said.
'President Must Intervene'
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy stressed on Sasikala to be sworn-in as the Chief Minister.
'TN People Will Close Sasikala's Chapter,' Says Pandian
“How can we allow a group of looters to rule us?” AIADMK senior leader PH Pandian asked. The people of Tamil Nadu will “close Sasikala’s chapter”, he said.
On Tuesday, Pandian had alleged that Jayalalithaa’s death was “unnatural”.
He said he read media reports that claimed someone had pushed Amma during an argument in September and had then rushed her to a hospital to avoid suspicion.
He alleged that Sasikala “drugged” Amma, and that the wrong dosage caused her death. “This is common knowledge,” he said.
'No role of BJP, Centre,' Says Venkaiah Naidu
BJP leader and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu refutes claims of the Centre’s role in the tussle.
“Neither the BJP not the Centre has anything to do with it,” he said.
'Panneerselvam Acting Alone,' Says AIADMK Spokerperson
Panneerselvam’s is opportunistic. His rebellion is being being fuelled by other forces, AIADMK spokesperson Avadi Kumar said.
He is “acting alone” and “pursuing his own interests”, he further said.
“The party did not gain any goodwill by his acts but on the other hand the party had to face the brunt of the government actions - like the police action against the Jallikattu-bull taming sport protestors,” Kumar said.
Sasikala Meets AIADMK Leaders
Sasikala meets leaders including M Thambidurai at Poes Garden ahead of the AIADMK MLAs meeting at the party headquarters.
According to a NDTV report, a majority of lawmakers, over 100, reached Poes Garden for the meeting with Sasikala. Whereas AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan reached Panneerselvam's residence to show his support.
O Panneerselvam Swears Loyalty to AIADMK, Amma
Panneerselvam told CNNNews18 that he had served the late Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa faithfully. He said he would never defy the party and its cadres.
When asked about the circumstances under which he left the CM’s chair, Panneerselvam said that even though he was forced to quit, he does not blame the party members, who he described as “helpless”.
He alleged that the party has barred him from visiting Jayalalithaa’s memorial.
Police Deployed Outside O Panneerselvam’s Residence, AIADMK Headquarters
Latest visuals from Chennai show heavy police presence outside O Panneerselvam’s residence and even at Jayalalithaa’s memorial at Marina Beach.
Fearing clashes between the rival factions, police personnel have also been deployed outside the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai.
'I Don't Fear Anybody,' Says Panneerselvam
Following his expulsion as the party treasurer, Panneerselvam addressed the media:
Watch Panneerselvam’s announcement to the media:
'Panneerselvam Acting at Someone's Behest'
Waving at supporters outside her residence late after the AIADMK party meeting came to an end, Sasikala said:
Sasikala said that Panneerselvam will “surely” be expelled from the party.
Taking a dig at Panneerselvam and the DMK, she said that during the recent Assembly session, “opposition leader and Panneerselvam exchanged warmth and were smiling at each other”.
The remark did not go down too well with DMK leader MK Stalin. “There have been times when Jayalalithaa greeted and smiled at me in the Assembly. Will Sasikala question this act of Jayalalithaa as well?” he asked.
Panneerselvam Sacked As AIADMK Treasurer
O Panneerselvam was removed from the post of the treasurer of AIADMK. Dindigul Sreenivasan has been appointed in his place.
Panneerselvam Starts His Own Twitter Poll
Panneerselvam Supporters Celebrate
Celebrations erupted outside Paneerselvam’s Chennai residence. “Our brother OPS will lead us, no one can stop him. He will be the only CM”, a supporter said.
According to reports, while the mood outside Panneerselvam’s house was celebratory, Poes Garden, where the AIADMK leaders were holding an emergency meeting, was relatively empty.
An AIADMK cadre outside Sasikala’s residence said: “Panneerselvam is very wrong, he finished his political career with this. He is a traitor.”
Watch the video below to know more about the current political crisis in Tamil Nadu.
Also Read: Why Exactly Do You Hate Sasikala?
DMK's Stalin Supports Panneerselvam
Leader of opposition and DMK leader, MK Stalin voiced his support towards Panneerselvam’s bid to retain his chief ministerial position and demanded action against those who ‘threatened’ OPS to resign.
He even pushes for floor test after O Panneerselvam's open revolt, Times Now reported.
Jayalalithaa’s neice Deepa Jayakumar also spoke out in support of Paneerselvam.
Speaking to NDTV, Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy said Panneerselvam stands alone.
"Was Forced to Tender Resignation"
After visiting Jayalalithaa’s memorial at Marina Beach, Panneerselvam tells media that Amma had asked him to take over as the CM while she was admitted to the hospital.
He further comments on how he was forced to tender resignation after party leaders had told him “to take initiiative towards making Sasikala CM”.
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting among senior AIADMK leaders was called at Sasikala’s residence at Poes Garden.
Panneerselvam Revolts
In a stunning move, Tamil Nadu’s caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced that he was forced to resign as the CM. This came only days after it was announced that late Jayalalithaa’s close aide Sasikala would take over the chief ministerial position from Panneerselvam.
After a 40-minute long meditation at former AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa’s memorial, he said:
He also said that he is willing to take his resignation back should the “other AIADMK workers and people ask him to”.
Panneerselvam will require the support of 90 MLAs to retain his position.
Read the full story on The Quint.
(With inputs from ANI, IANS and PTI)
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