Janjivan Bureau
Chennai : As the Governor indicates he may wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the wealth case case, it is a battle of nerves between the rival camps of AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and interim Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
‘Ma Foi’ Pandiarajan, who holds school education and youth affairs portfolio in the current cabinet, parted ways from the Sasikala camp and joined Mr. Panneerselvam’s side. Two Lok Sabha MPs have also extended their support to the chief minister.
Here are the latest updates on the ongoing political crisis in Tamil Nadu:
8.40 p.m.
“AIADMK MLAs are strong. Felt like meeting family members when I met them. I think delaying decision (on inviting us to form government) is an attempt to divide the party,” says Ms. Sasikala after returning to Poes Garden after a meeting with party MLAs at Kuvathur.
“We will fight in a different manner tomorrow,” she says.
7.30 p.m.
Tiruppur MP V. Sathyabama extends support to Mr. Panneerselvam. “Sasikala has brought all her family members shunned by Jayalalithaa. How can we accept this?” she says.
6:45 p.m.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy meets Tamil Nadu Governor at Raj Bhavan.
Dr. Swamy had said that constitutionally Ms. Sasikala must be sworn in as chief minister since she enjoys the support of majority MLAs.
It is same Dr. Swamy who moved the Supreme Court when the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa, Ms. Sasikala and two others in the disproportionate assets case.
6:25 p.m.
Mr. Panneerselvam’s Twitter handle says Rural Industries Minister Benjamin will shortly visit the chief minister and extend his support.
6:20 p.m.
Former MLA K.P. Rajendra Prasad extends support to Mr. Panneerselvam. Mr. Prasad unsuccessfully contested from Padmanabhapuram in 2016 Assembly elections.
6:15 p.m.
“Only Sasikala was able to see Jayalalithaa. None of us were able to meet the chief minister,”he says.
“Only the 1.5 crore cadre can elect the General secretary of AIADMK. No one else can be General Secretary as per party byelaws.
“MLAs are people’s representatives
“Mr. Panneerselvam is capable of of running the party with discipline. He is capable to running a corruption-free government.”
