Hours after a Supreme Court verdict effectively put an end to her political ambitions, former AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, on Tuesday, handpicked E Palanisamy as the new party chief. Palanisamy, a senior minister in the state cabinet, also staked claim to form government at a meeting with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao. His move was quickly followed by members of the OPS Camp, who also met the Governor later in the evening.
Sasikala, who the apex court held guilty of colluding with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case, has been sentenced to four years in prison. Sources say, Sasikala has not received a copy of the verdict and will not surrender before the police on Tuesday.
The OPS camp, meanwhile, hopes the taint on Chinnamma will benefit OPS’ own position. At present, Panneerselvam enjoys the support of 11 MPs and nine MLAs. Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar, who had earlier maintained a neutral stand has extended her support to OPS.
As uncertainty shrouds the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, all eyes are now on Governor Rao, who has so far refrained from taking a hasty call.
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)