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Power play in full display
After being criticised for his absence, the Governor broke his silence on his decision to stay away and said that he was comfortable where he was. Ch Vidyasagar Rao is expected to arrive in Chennai on February 9, and the political turmoil that has been ignited by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on the Marina Beach is expected to find a temporary reprieve.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
The Governor, who had earlier accepted the CM’s resignation letter, is likely to invite AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala to form a government, as per protocol. All but three of the AIADMK’s legislators were present at the MLAs’ meet called by VK Sasikala, who spoke for an hour about the crisis forced on the party by Panneerselvam.
“I hope all of you, all of you who loved Amma, will be with me,” she said. 130 AIADMK legislators (Manoranjitham was unwell) have been taken to an undisclosed location on the ECR in an apparent effort to prevent horse trading. They are expected to remain there until the Governor returns to the State and initiates the proceedings to form the next government.
Panneerselvam, who has got the support of just a handful of MLAs so far, has announced that he would go from street to street, village to village to seek public support and has affirmed that he would recall his resignation only if the people want him to be the CM.
Meanwhile, AIADMK parliamentarians are travelling to Delhi to meet with President Pranab Mukherjee, most likely on Thursday, to complain about the Governor’s no-show.
O PANEERSELVAM OUTBURST
February 9 morning saw caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam continue to make startling revelations against AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala
- He revealed that he was “not allowed to meet late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa even once during her hospitalisation”
- He announced that he will order an inquiry into the circumstances of Jaya’s death
- OPS claimed that he was forced to resign by VK Sasikala and has offered to withdraw his resignation. He added that he has been insulted by party leaders and no action was taken against them
- Reacting to his expulsion by VK Sasikala, he said she has no right to expel him as she is only the temporary General Secretary
- He added that elections must be held as per party rules to elect the General Secretary
- Another revelation was that Jayalalithaa did not want Sasikala to become the General Secretary. She wanted senior leader and presidium chairman of the party, E Madhusudhanan, to be the elected to the post
- OPS said he would invite Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deepa Jayakumar, who has also questioned Sasikala’s ascension, to join his team
- He has denied all charges that he is operating at the behest of BJP or banking on DMK’s support
- OPS says he will prove his majority in the house
HEAVYWEIGHTS IN OPS CAMP
Former speaker PH Pandian | His son and former MP Manoj Pandian | Former TN minister KP Munusamy | Former AIADMK MP Dr Maitreyan | Sholvandan MLA K Manickam | Kavundampalayam MLA VC Arukutty | Former AIADMK minister Natham R Viswanathan | Former AIADMK minister C Aranganayagam | Former Puducherry MLA Om Shakthi Sekar
SASIKALA SALVOS
Branding OPS as a ‘traitor’, AIADMK Gen Secy VK Sasikala announced that the party will not be cowed down by such threats and termed the prevailing situation as a plot devised by the Opposition
- Sasikala said that she had got wind of Panneerselvam’s revolt a few days ago
- She claimed that arch rival DMK’s hand was apparent in Panneerselvam’s allegation, saying she has seen OPS 'smile' at Stalin
- With a show of strength of 130 MLAs attending the party meeting called by her, she said there is ‘no problem’ in her becoming the Chief Minister
- Sasikala clarified that she acted against the ministers who had disrespected Panneerselvam and had given him his due respect
- She reaffirmed that it was Pannerselvam who suggested that she be elevated as the Chief Minister
- Attacking Pannerselvam’s loyalty, she accused him of supporting VN Janaki before shifting allegiance to Jayalalithaa
- 130 MLAs were taken in buses to an 'undisclosed' location, to be kept there until Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao returns to Chennai
BIG TICKETS ON SASIKALA’S SIDE
Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai | Presidium chairman Madhusudhanan | Senior leader Panruti Ramachandran | Former minister K A Sengottian | All ministers including PWD Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy | Electricity Minister Thangamani | Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani | Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju
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