Sasikala Roars, Vows To Defend Amma’s Legacy Like a Lion
Five more AIADMK MPs join OPS, as former AIADMK MP Ramarajan also meets Panneerselvam.
- O Panneerselvam has said that he will prove his majority on the floor of the TN Assembly
- Sasikala has claimed that no MLA has been held at the Golden Bay resort forcibly
- Sasikala invokes Amma’s name, claims she is being targeted because she is a woman
- Five more MPs join Tamil Nadu acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s camp
- He now has the backing of 11 party MPs and six party MLAs
- AIADMK has 37 MPs in Lok Sabha and 13 in Rajya Sabha
Sasikala Reaches Poes Garden
VK Sasikala reaches Poes Garden residence in Chennai after meeting MLAs at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur.
When asked about rumors of having the support of 127 MLAs Sasikala told The News Minute, “You can see the numbers.”
In a tweet in the official account, AIADMK said that the cyber crime department are investigating to find out “the miscreants” behind the “fake letter to the governor”.
Over consecutive tweets, the party reiterated what Sasikala’s ‘lion’ comment.
Who will be TN CM? That is the Golden Question!
Lok Sabha Member R Parthipan Extends Support to OPS Camp
Lok Sabha MP from Theni, R Parthipan has joined the OPS camp. With this the OPS camp now enjoys the support of 11 MPs.
OPS Hits Back, Says MLAs at Golden Bay Resort Are Being Tortured
Minutes after Sasikala’s high-pitched speech at the Golden Bay resort, caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam added to the drama after he claimed to have been approached by party MLAs who are being “tortured” at the resort.
Clarifying that he has no ulterior motives behind wanting to become the TN CM, OPS said:
He also hit out at Sasikala, asking her to not shed crocodile tears. While attacking Sasikala for not letting Amma’s niece see her body at Jaya’s Poes Garden residence, OPS further added:
Chinamma Roars Like a Lion, Says Nothing Will Deter Me From Carrying Forward Amma's Legacy
In a powerful speech delivered at the Golden bay resort, Sasikala said that she is the only one who does not budge from her stand, and can run the party affairs with an iron fist.
Addressing party cadres, she fired warning shots to her opponents.
She further added, “I have always been with Amma. We have both seen Chennai jail together and Bangalore jail. We have then taken the government. So, if you think 'she is after all a woman, she can be threatened'...just as it won't work with Amma, it won't work with me.”
Sasikala Breaks Down While Addressing Party Cadres
Addressing the “detained” party workers at the Golden Bay resort, VK Sasikala urged party workers to stay united in the face of the “evil” attempts by the OPS camp to break the party. She said she had the backing of 129 MLAs.
No MLA has been Held at the Resort Forcibly, We are Living as a Family: Sasikala
In a show of strength VK Sasikala, flanked by party MPs and MLA, spoke to the media late on Sunday. Firing warning shots at the rival OPS camp, she said:
Dispelling rumours that party workers are being kept at the Golden Bay resort without their consent, she added:
Sasikala Camp Clashes with Journalists at Golden bay Resort
Local journalists in Chennai are on a protest near the Golden Bay Resorts, where almost all of the MLAs in Sasikala's camp are currently being “held”.
While the police personnel looked on, 'private security', ostensibly hired to protect the MLAs, roughed up the journalists and denied permission to enter the resort. When asked who hired the private security personnel, there was no answer forthcoming from anyone.
As the journalists approached the resort, the 'private security' allegedly pelted stones at them. When asked who they were, to stop journalists from entering, the security guards - whom the locals claim are actually goondas brought in from Mannargudi (Sasikala's hometown) - said, 'Even the police need to take our permission to come inside.'
Sasikala Reaches Golden Bay Resort, Meets "Detained MLAs
\AIADMK’s acting General Secretary VK Sasikala visited the Golden Bay resort where she is meeting the “detained”party MLAs.
Sasikala Invokes Amma, Says, "This is How Women in Politics are Targeted"
Unmoved by the strong opposition that she is facing from the rival OPS camp, AIADMK’s interim General Secretary VK Sasikala said she has full faith in democracy and is sure that her faction will win this fight.
Sasikala also reacted to the news of an alleged letter sent by her to the Governor. Dispelling rumours which claimed she threatened suicide, Sasikala said:
Panneerselvam Meets Supporters Outside Residence in Chennai
Caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met supporters outside his residence in Chennai.
Chinnamma Waiting For Governor's Response: R Vaithiligam
Senior AIADMK leader R Vaithiligam has said that Chinnamma is waiting for Governor C Vidyasagar Rao’s response to her request and will announce if her camp will protest or take legal action if nothing happens today.
Support for O Panneerselvam Camp Grows
In what will come as a blow to VK Sasikala, AIADMK MPs R Lakshmanan and S Rajendran met caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday and extended their support.
Earlier on Saturday, four Lok Sabha members V Sathyabama (Tirupur), K Ashok Kumar (Krishnagiri), PR Sundaram (Namakkal) and R Vanaroja (Thiruvannamalai) joined the Panneerselvam camp.
Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan was the first to throw his lot with Panneerselvam after he revolted against Sasikala who was set to become the Chief Minister following her election as the legislature party leader of the AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu assembly.
Sasikala Hits Back, Removes MP Lakshmanan
Taking firm action against defectors from her camp, VK Sasikala early on Sunday removed party MP Lakshmanan from the post of district secretary of Vizhupuram North. Loyalist CV Shanmugham will replace him.
Lakshmanan is expected to join the Panneerselvam camp soon.
Another Former MP Sides With OPS
Amidst the political crisis in TN, a senior AIADMK leader and former minister has sided with Panneerselvam.
Soli Sorabjee: If there is Delay, There Should be a Floor Test
Soli Sorabjee, in an interview to News18, said that he expected the judgement in Sasikala’s disproportionate assets case to come out by Wednesday. In case of delay, “I suppose he has to have a session of floor test in the house and find out who has majority.”
Subramanian Swamy: TN Governor Must Decide CM Issue by Tomorrow
A day after calling on Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday said the former has to decide on the issue of government formation by Monday else a court case "can be filed charging abatement of horse trading".
Ever since the issue of government formation has broken out, Swamy has been favouring AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala to be sworn-in as Chief Minister, saying she has the numbers in her favour.
DMK's MK Stalin to Chair Action Council Meeting on Monday
BJP State President Soundararajan Tells Media That Swamy's Stand is His Own
News18 reports that Tamil Nadu’s BJP unit has distanced itself from party MP Subramanian Swamy. According to the channel:
Sasikala Supporters Shout Anti-OPS Slogans
Supporters of VK Sasikala shout anti-Panneerselvam slogans, outside Poes Garden.
AIADMK Perambalur MP RP Marutharaja Joins OPS
AIADMK Perambalur MP RP Marutharaja extended support to acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, thus giving the OPS camp a boost.
AIADMK Perambalur MP RP Marutharaja Reaches Panneerselvam’s Residence
Party members and supporters felicitate OPS at his residence in Chennai as AIADMK Perambalur MP RP Marutharaja also arrives at Panneerselvam’s residence.
Two More Sitting MPs Join OPS
Two more sitting Lok Sabha AIADMK MPs on Sunday extended their support to acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
The two – B Senguttuvan representing Vellore constituency and Jeyasingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee from Tuticorin constituency – visited Panneerselvam at his residence.
"We expect six more MLAs to join," an AIADMK leader told IANS preferring anonymity.
Former AIADMK MP Ramarajan Also Met Panneerselvam
Meanwhile, former AIADMK MP Ramarajan also met Panneerselvam and extended his support to him.
The total number of sitting Lok Sabha members in Panneerselvam's camp has gone up to eight and two in Rajya Sabha.
The AIADMK has 37 MPs in Lok Sabha.
On Saturday, four sitting Lok Sabha members – Sathyabama representing Tirupur, Ashok Kumar representing Krishnagiri constituency, Sundaram representing Namakkal and R Vanaroja representing Thiruvannamalai constituency – joined the camp.
Sitting Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan was the first MP to join Panneerselvam.
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