TTV Dinakaran meets TN governor,seeks removal of CM Edappadi Palaniswami

On yet another dayb of rapid developments in the ruling party, sidelined AIADMK (A) deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran met Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan on Thursday and sought the removal of both Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

Later, speaking to the media, he said, “We met the Governor and sought a floor test as Palaniswami has lost the majority to rule.” Stating that the Governor had conceded that this was no longer an intra-party issue, he said Rao understood from the recent Legislature Party meeting that Palaniswami had the support of only

111 MLAs which was less than the required majority. “The Governor told us that he would do what was necessary as per the Constitution,” Dinakarn noted.

Claiming that Rao had promised a good verdict soon, Dinakaran said he met the Governor accompanied by three MLAs and seven MPs. Asked about his former supporter and Cumbum MLA STK Jakkaiyan switching over to the EPS camp the same day, he said, “The MLA sought the post of headquarters secretary and I also told him that it would be announced soon, but this morning he told me that he was being threatened by the rival camp about being disqualified.

They also offered him inducements and so he asked me what to do. I told him to join EPS and then we would act at the right opportunity.” Stating that this proved his horse trading charges which should not be allowed, TTV said EPS had no reason to continue in office.

Recalling his recent visit to Ariyalur district to condole the death of Anitha, he said, “There too people told me that I should remove EPS from office. I was allowed to meet the family, but the EPS camp was not brave enough to even go there. Besides, have you heard anyone rejecting a government solatium? This clearly shows people are on whose side.” Stating that if necessary the 19 MLAs would resign, he added, “Sleeper cells will also come out if needed.”