The political chaos in Tamil Nadu continues even after a week and witnessing the endless war of words between AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala and senior party leader O Panneerselvam. Notably, several politicians and film personalities came forward to give their support to Panneerselvam, while Sasikala, rushed to meet MLAs who were staying in Golden Bay resort.
Both group OPS and Chinnamma camps kept the day hard by talking to media, party workers and supporters to further prove their stands on the continuing crisis within and outside AIADMK. Several AIADMK MLAs extended their support to O Panneerselvam who gave his resignation on February 5.
Among those who supported OPS include Fisheries Minister KA Jaypal, Vellore MP B Senguttuvan, Tuthukudi MP J Jeyasingh, actors Ramarajan and Thiyagu. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Sunday said that the governor must settle the issue by tomorrow or else a petition under Act 32 of the Constitution can be filed charging abetment of horse trading.
Reportedly, the postponement and indecision were attributed to the impending verdict on the disproportionate asset case that is likely to impact Sasikala’s ability to get chosen as an MLA. The TN governor believes that he has a constitutional responsibility to provide a steady government to the state.
Sasikala who rushed to meet MLAs staying at Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur, showed confidence about AIADMK being in power for the next four and half years. She slammed at her critics saying that the same group which targeted Amma is now confronting her and her factions.
Sasikala also played the gender card and said it was tough for a woman to be in politics. She said that she experienced what Amma suffered during her tenancy. After meeting 127 MLAs, Sasikala provided a one-day deadline to the governor saying, if the governor does not take any action till Monday evening, she will be forced to take the essential steps.
There were also rumors doing the rounds that team Sasikala held numerous MLAs hostage at the resort. She however, debunked such reports saying her MLAs were happy. She said that every MLA was in touch with their family and nobody was pressured to do anything.
She also slammed Panneerselvam and his supporters blaming them of dividing the party. She said efforts were being made to breakdown the AIADMK government.
Conversely, Panneerselvam said that several MLAs told him that they were locked up in the resort with ‘gundas’ around them. He even quizzed the need for Chinnamma to visit the Kavathur resort.
Panneerselvam also said that he only had the support of Jayalalithaa and revealed that he was tortured for a long time. He intensified the doubts surrounding Amma’s death again and questioned why Jayalalithaa’s niece was not permitted to see her when she was admitted.
A letter also emerged on social media claiming that Sasikala has threatened to commit suicide if TN Governor Vidyasagar Rao does not take a final call soon. However, AIADMK later said that this letter was fake.
