No End to Suspense in Tamil Nadu Crisis as Guv Still Undecided
Suspense continues over whether Sasikala or Panneerselvam would take charge in Tamil Nadu.
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- Amid reports that TN Guv had decided to not invite Sasikala to form a govt, Raj Bhavan denied sending any report
- MLAs staying at the resort of their “free will”, say Sasikala camp
- Sasikala should not be allowed to continue as AIADMK Gen Secy: OPS camp
- Madras HC has asked police to file an affidavit on the whereabouts of AIADMK MLAs
- DMK Executive Leader MK Stalin meets TN Guv Rao
- Panneerselvam asserts ‘nobody can hijack the party’
- SC declines urgent hearing of PIL seeking a hold on Sasikala taking oath as TN CM
Not Prudent to Invite Sasikala to Form Govt, TN Guv Reportedly Says
Amid reports that Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao has decided to wait before inviting Sasikala to form a government, Raj Bhavan’s PRO said no report has been sent to the Centre regarding this.
Earlier reports said the Governor informed MHA that he has chosen to wait until the Supreme Court pronounces its verdict in the Disproportionate Assets case. The MHA, however, denies receiving any such report, says The Hindu.
Responding to these reports, OPS said: “Please wait and see.”
'This Party Was Developed as a Huge Banyan Tree'
In a press conference from his residence, OPS assured his supporters that nobody could hijack the party, which was developed as a huge Banyan tree.
Standing next to him, E Madusudanan said:
There's a Standstill in the State, Says Stalin
MK Stalin, after meeting the Tamil Nadu Governor, said there has been a standstill in the state and no administrative work has been done in nearly nine months.
MK Stalin Meets TN Guv
DMK’s working President MK Stalin has reached the Raj Bhavan to meet the Tamil Nadu Governor.
In an interview with News18, Sasikala had accused DMK of supporting OPS’ revolt to drive a wedge in AIADMK for their own benefit.
I Removed Sasikala From Gen Secy Post Before She Removed Me: Madusudanan
E Madusudanan, the sacked AIADMK leader, said he had removed Sasikala from the post of General Secretary even before she could remove him.
Madras HC Chief Justice to Meet TN Guv
Madras High Court Chief Justice SK Kaul will be meeting Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan shortly. It is not certain yet what the agenda of the meeting is.
Sasikala Holds a Meeting With MPs at Poes Garden
Sasikala is currently holding a meeting with AIADMK MPs at Poes Garden, reports ANI.
Sasikala Interacting With 'Hostage' MLAs Through Video Conference
Sasikala is reportedly interacting with supporting MLAs staying at Golden Bay Resort, via video conference, to “keep up their morale”, reports The News Minute.
Will Call Central Forces, Warns Guv
According to CNN-News18, the Goversor warned that he will call the central forces if the situation in Tamil doesnt come under control. He has reportedly warned OPS to control the 'hostage' situation.
Meanwhile, members of AIADMK are evidently divided. VP Kalairajan of the Sasikala camp made an open threat to OPS:
Of E Madusudanan’s defection to OPS’ camp, Kalairajan said:
Another AIADMK member, E Ponnuswamy said:
AIADMK MLA Files Official Complaint, Against Sasikala
AIADMK MLA and Panneerselvam loyalist, SP Shunmuganathan, has reportedly filed an official complaint alleging illegal detention by Sasikala.
According to The Hindu, Chennai Police Commissioner George refused to meet Shanmuganathan and he was told to meet the Addition Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Ratnaswami, a former AIADMK MLA lodged at a resort said the Governor may call them anytime, which is why they’ve all assembled at one place.
Sasikala Camp Denies Hostage Situation, Say MLAs Staying at the Resort of their "Free Will"
Denying claims of a reported hostage situation, senior leader, CR Saraswathi said that no MLAs have been detained by the party.
Panneerselvam is Working Towards Splitting the Party: AIADMK Spokesperson
Firing back at the OPS camp, CR Saraswathi, spokesperson of the AIADMK claimed that caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is driven by his hunger for power and is attempting to “break up” the party to get his hands on the Chief Minister’s chair.
OPS Loyalist Madusudanan Sacked by AIADMK
A day after pledging support for O Panneeerselvam, senior leader Madusudanan was sacked from the party. The leader was hastily replaced by KA Sengottayan as the new Presidium Chairman of the party on Friday.
Sasikala Should Not be Allowed to Continue as AIADMK Gen Secy: Madusudhanan
OPS loyalist and AIADMK Presidium Chairman Madusudhanan said that EC should not allow Sasikala to continue as the party’s general secretary.
AIADMK MLAs ‘Locked Up By Sasikala’ in Resort, Police to Intervene
A day after The News Minute reported on the situation inside the Golden Bay Resorts on the outskirts of Chennai, the TN Director General of Police TK Rajendran has directed the state police to intervene in the issue. There have been allegations that the MLAs are being kept ‘locked up’ by the Sasikala camp.
On Thursday, a source told TNM that all the MLAs were holed up in the resort, with no one being allowed in and out of the premises. There were allegations that MLAs are being supplied alcohol and brainwashed into supporting Sasikala.
The MLAs now continue to be holed up in the resort. Over 100 MLAs, who were packed off in three buses and transported to the beach resort on Wednesday, spent another night at Golden Bay Resorts.
A source told TNM that virtually all access and contact with those at the hotel has been cut off. "There are jammers, CCTV cameras are switched off, mobile phones are not allowed to be used," the source said.
Read the full story here.
We Have Support of 35 MLAs, more MLAs Will Join us Soon: OPS
In a show of strength, the OPS camp on Friday said they are well on their way to prove their case on the floor of the assembly.
OPS’ team claimed that they currently enjoy the support of 35 MLAs and more will be joining them soon. This development will come as a setback to Sasikala, who needs the support of 118 out of 134 MLAs to defeat OPS in the floor test, reports CNNNews18.
Panneerselvam’s camp also appealed to other party MLAs to listen to their “conscience” and help OPS save Amma’s legacy.
TN Chief Secy, DGP Meet Governor C Vidyasagr
DGP TK Rajendran and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Secretary met Governor C Vidyasagar Rao in Chennai to discuss the growing unrest in the state.
Madras HC Asks Police to File Affidavit on the Whereabout of AIADMK MLAs
Madras HC has taken cognisance of the alleged detention of AIADMK MLAs by the Sasikala camp has asked police to file an affidavit on the whereabout of the party MLAs, who have been lodged at the resort.
Earlier in the day, AIADMKA leader Valarmathi said that MLAs lodged in the resort have willingly switched off their mobile phones to avoid threatening calls.
What's Lies in Store for Tamil Nadu? The News Minute Answers
Centre has No Say in TN Govt's Affairs
Speaking out on the power games being played in Chennai, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Centre has no say in Tamil Nadu government’s internal matters. He added that as the constitutional head of the state, it is the Governor’s prerogative to take decisions.
SC Declines Urgent Hearing of PIL Stopping Sasikala from Taking Oath as TN CM
Refusing to step in on the going tussle between the two warring factions within the AIADMK, the Supreme Court on Friday declined an urgent hearing of a PIL seeking to restrain VK Sasikala from taking oath as the Tamil Nadu CM.
Subramanian Swamy Attacks TN Governor C Vidyasagar
Continuing his attack on Tamil Nadu Governor on Friday, senior BJP leader, Subramanian Swamy asked why Governor Vidyasagar is delaying the appointment of VK Sasikala as the new Chief Minister of the state even after she proved her majority by furnishing a list of MLAs in her support.
Won’t Provide Support to Panneerselvam: Stalin
DMK Working President MK Stalin on Thursday said the party does not agree with the statement of Deputy General Secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadesan that it would extend unconditional support to O Panneerselvam to form the government.
In a statement issued in Chennai, Stalin said party President M Karunanidhi and General Secretary K Anbazhagan will take appropriate decision considering the unusual political situation in the state.
Stalin advised party officials not to voice their personal views.
'Janaki vs Jayalalithaa' History Repeats Itself
As the public feud in AIADMK plays out, one can't help but wonder how history is repeating itself.
In 1987, following MGR's death, AIADMK split, with 95 MLAs siding with MGR's wife Janaki, and 35 choosing to stay with Jayalalithaa. Interestingly, neither Janaki nor Jayalalithaa were members of the Assembly, just as Sasikala is not an MLA now.
MGR's then right-hand man, Veerappan, put up the MLAs siding with Janaki in a five-star hotel. Jaya's supporter, S Thirunavukkarasar, took her loyalists on a 'Bharat darshan'. Their final destination was Nandi Hills near Bangalore.
Read the full story here.
Sasikala Stakes Claim for Govt after OPS Comes Out All Guns Blazing
Suspense continued tonight over whether VK Sasikala will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after she staked claim to form the government at a meeting with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, who has not yet given any indication as to what course of action he will take.
Hours after caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visited Rao, Sasikala called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan and gave him the letter staking claim to form government and containing the names of supporting MLAs who elected her as AIADMK Legislature Party leader on Sunday. She also submitted individual letters of support furnished by AIADMK MLAs.
Sasikala too visited Jayalaithaa's memorial for ten minutes with a contingent of senior AIADMK leaders. She placed a wreath on her memorial as well as a list of the MLAs supporting her.
Earlier in the day, O Panneerselvam in a show of strength addressed a press conference with top AIADMK leaders such as Madusudanan, V Maitreyan and Pandian.
Flanked by important party MLAs, OPS said that he is fighting to protect MGR and Amma’s legacy. He also welcomed other MLAs to join his crusade against Sasikala’s attempts to usurp the party.
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Published: 09 Feb 2017,01:58 AM IST