Members Only
lock close icon

After Meeting OPS, Sasikala, TN Guv Briefs President and PMO

The ongoing tussle in Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK party has manifested into a full-blown public feud.

The Quint
Politics
Updated:
Sasikala and O Panneerselvam. (Photo: <b>The Quint</b>)
i
Sasikala and O Panneerselvam. (Photo: The Quint)
null

advertisement

  • All members and arms of AIADMK support me, says Sasikala
  • Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao met Panneerselvam and Sasikala within a gap of two hours
  • The Governor has reportedly briefed the President, PMO and MHA
  • Sasikala visited Jayalalithaa’s memorial prior to the meeting
  • Top AIADMK MLAs switched sides to stand with Panneerselvam
  • Panneerselvam, who was sacked as the party treasurer, has written to two banks, asserting his position
  • Sasikala said she’s not afraid of a probe into Amma’s death

Meeting With Guv Was Positive, Says MLA Pandiarajan

Avadi MLA, K Pandiarajan, said the meeting with the Governor was a positive one, reports The News Minute. Pandiarajan is in the Sasikala camp.

Meeting with Governor was very positive. We are also awaiting word from him. Chinnamma spent some time alone with him of course, but it was very positive. We have given letter stating 134 MLAs’ support. The Speaker can’t be included.

'All Members and Arms of AIADMK Support Me'

The AIADMK official Twitter handle has released a statement:

I met the Governor and conveyed to him that all AIADMK MLAs have elected me as the leader of the Legislature Party, presented a letter to the Governor. All members and arms of AIADMK support me.
Sasikala presents the letter to Governor Vidyasagar Rao. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/AIADMK)

Sasikala’s nephew, TTV Dinakaran, who is not an MLA, was also at the meeting.

VK Sasikala along with 10 AIADMK MLAs at Raj Bhavan. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/AIADMK)

TN Guv Briefs President, PMO and MHA

While there is still no clarity on who will form a government in Tamil Nadu, media reports say Governor Vidyasagar Rao has sent a brief to the President, PMO and HMO, after meeting both contenders.

According to India Today reporter, Shiv Aroor, the Governor has ruled out President's Rule in Tamil Nadu. His brief to the Centre reportedly says he needs to study claims made by both sides.

'Chinamma Stakes Claim to Form Government'

Even as Sasikala’s meeting with the governor was on, the official AIADMK handle tweeted saying she had staked claim to form a government in Tamil Nadu.

Her meeting with the governor lasted longer than OPS’. She is now back at her residence in Poes Garden.

Sasikala Seeks Amma's Blessings

Sasikala arrived at Jayalaithaa's memorial with a contingent of senior AIADMK leaders. She placed a wreath on her memorial as well as a list of the MLAs supporting her.

While Panneerselvam had spent nearly 40 minutes at the memorial, Sasikala spent less than 10 minutes. She will head to the Governor’s residence now.

Sasikala Leaves for Amma's Memorial

Sasikala left Poes Garden for Marina Beach, to visit Jayalalithaa’s memorial and seek her blessings.

Jaya TV is doing a live broadcast of her convoy’s journey to Marina Beach. This is perhaps a way to conjure an image similar to Jayalalithaa’s, as the channel used to broadcast her convoy’s progress in the same manner.

Sasikala on her way to Marina Beach. (Photo: ANI)

DA Case Verdict Not Likely on Friday

The SC’s verdict in the disproportionate assets case, which reportedly delayed Sasikala’s swearing-in even before Panneerselvam had revolted, will not be delivered on Friday, reports CNN-News18.

Sasikala Headed to Jaya Memorial

Prior to the meeting with the Governor, Sasikala will go to Jayalalithaa’s memorial to seek her blessings.

Sasikala’s case to the Governor would reportedly be that she has 130 MLAs in her corner and a decision must be taken as soon as possible to ensure that she becomes Chief Minister.

OPS Addresses Media

After a short meeting with the Governor, Panneerselvam addressed a press conference. The conference was brief. OPS said:

With the blessings of Amma, and under the leadership of Madhusudhanan, we met the Governor. I told him whatever happened. I believe that good will prevail. Once again, we will come back.

According to CNN-News18, Panneerselvam, during the brief meeting with C Vidaysagar Rao, told the Governor that he was forced to resign and that he now wanted to revoke his resignation.

OPS' Meeting With Governor Over

Panneerselvam’s meeting with the Governor is now over. The meeting was expected to last up to 30 minutes, but soon after the meeting began, OPS’ convoy was seen leaving Raj Bhavan.

(Photo: ANI)

The Governor will meet Sasikala at 7:30pm. Media reports say she will visit Jayalalithaa’s memorial at Marina Beach before heading to Raj Bhavan.

OPS Meets TN Governor

Tamil Nadu’s caretaker Chief Minister Panneerselvam’s meeting with the Governor has begun, reports CNN-News18. The meeting will reportedly last up to half an hour during which he will explain to the Governor why he resigned.

OPS on His Way to Raj Bhavan

Panneerselvam has left his residence to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan. He is allowed to be accompanied by only 10 MLAs.

'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 body lies in state at Rajaji Hall in Chennai. Jayalalithaa can be seen standing beside his body. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tamil Nadu Guv Arrives in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has arrived in Chennai. He ducked questions from media persons about the ongoing tussle in the state and will be meeting OPS in an hour’s time.

He has asked that not more than 10 MLAs accompany both the camps when they arrive at Raj Bhavan to meet him.

MLAs Have Been Staying in Hotels of Their Own Accord: TN Edu Minister

Tamil Nadu Education Minister Pandiarajan said VK Sasikala has a letter of support from 135 MLAs, including Panneerselvam. He added that the MLAs have been staying at hotels of their own accord and have not been forced.

He asserted that no suggestion made by Panneerselvam had been overruled and everything was done with his consent.

'Call Your Lawmaker' Campaign Takes Off

As reports of lawmakers being “hidden” in hotels and resorts came to light, a peculiar social media campaign took off. Actor Arvind Swami tweeted a list of MLAs and local party representatives along with their numbers, and urged his followers to call them and express their opinion on the choice of CM.

Read the full story here.

Advantage OPS: TN Governor to First Meet Panneerselvam, then Sasikala

OPS has stolen a march on his rival Sasikala after news emerged that Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has agreed to meet O Panneerselvam 5 pm – two and a half hours before he is slated to meet VK Sasikala.

OPS, AIADMK MLAs Show Strength, Address Joint Press Conference

In a show of strength, O Panneerselvam on Thursday addressed a press conference with top AIADMK leaders such as Madhusudan, 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.

Our senior leader Madhusudan was threatened, but he stood firm to safeguard the party. It is Sasikala who is employing dirty tricks to acquire the chair of CM. If she succeeds it will be a big blot on democracy.

Brandishing an apology letter written by Sasikala to Jayalalithaa in 2011, Panneerselvam claimed that Sasikala is lying when she says she never betrayed Amma.

(Photo: The Quint)

O Panneerselvam Meets TN's DGP, Chief Secy

Amid the brewing unrest in Tamil Nadu, the caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met the state’s chief secretary and DGP, TK Rajendran at his residence early on Thursday.

Don't Blame DMK for AIADMK's Problems: Kanimozhi

Rajya Sabha MP and senior DMK leader Kanimozhi rejected allegations that her party has any hand in the ongoing tussle between Sasikala and Panneerselvam in the AIADMK. She said:

DMK is not getting involved in these issues. All these are AIADMK’s internal problems. It is ugly and sad.&nbsp;

Panneerselvam Writing to Banks Won't Affect AIADMK

O Panneerselvam (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@AIADMK_Official)

O Panneerselvam’s writing to the banks to not allow transactions without his authorisation may not have any practical impact on the AIADMK, a senior party leader said on Thursday. On conditions of anonymity, he said:

Panneerselvam may be moving legally against his dismissal as treasurer, but it may not impact the operations of the AIADMK even if the banks in which the party has its accounts were to adopt wait and watch approach.

He added that there were other authorised persons to carry out banking transactions in the party. According to reports, Panneerselvam has written to banks asking them not to allow any transactions without his authorisation as the party treasurer.

TN Governor's Behaviour is Deplorable: Swamy

Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday slammed Governor C Vidyasagar Rao for ignoring his duty to the state. He slammed him for leaving the state at a crucial time. He even attacked the Congress for going easy on the governor.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rao’s behaviour is deplorable. He ran away to Delhi, then went to Mumbai... The Congress is not attacking him, maybe he is influenced by them.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Swamy requested President Pranab Mukherjee to intervene in the matter.

Panneerselvam Suggests Converting Amma's Poes Garden Residence into Memorial

In an indirect attack on his rival Sasikala, Panneerselvam is drawing up plans to convert Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence into a memorial for her, CNNNews18 reported.

The government’s order will force Sasikala and her family – the current occupant of the Poes Garden residence – to vacate the iconic house.

However, the Sasikala camp has suggested that they will staunchly oppose such an order. They claim that the Poes Garden residence is a private property and as such the government cannot convert it into a memorial without their consent.

Sasikala Herds MLAs to an Undisclosed Location

As the ongoing power tussle in Tamil Nadu turned into a full-blown public feud between Panneerselvam and Sasikala, there are reports of AIADMK MLAs being moved late on Wednesday by the Sasikala faction to an undisclosed locations to stop them from being poached by rival parties or by Panneerselvam.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, the MLAs were put into buses and driven to hotels and farmhouses to keep them from being poached before the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

One group was traced by NDTV to the Golden Bay resort near Mahabalipuram, around 80 kms from Chennai, which offers, among its many attractions, a beach, massages and water-skiing.

Despite the efforts by the Sasikala camp, the report adds that one of lawmakers at the resort, SP Shanmuganathan managed to “escape” after he left for a bathroom break. He is suspected to have made his way to Mr Panneerselvam.

AIADMK MPs Arrive in Delhi

AIADMK MPs have arrived in the capital in light of the ongoing tussle in Tamil Nadu. They are expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and urge him to ask the Governor to return and swear Sasikala in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao is expected to arrive in Chennai on Thursday. At a press conference, he made a reference to the controversy surrounding his absence – and added that he was happy where he is.

Sasikala will meet Rao upon his return.

Panneerselvam Writes to Banks Asserting His Position

Panneerselvam has reportedly written to two banks, asserting that he is the treasurer of the AIADMK.

In his letter to the Karur Vysya Bank and the Bank of India, he asked the banks not to allow any transactions in party account without his consent.

In accordance with Bye law 20, sub-clause 5 in the party constitution in continuance of my appointment as treasurer of AIADMK party by puratchi thalaivi amma, I request you not to permit anyone else to operate our AIADMK party’s current account without my written consent and instructions.Presently the post of General Secretary of AIADMK remains vacant as the appointment to the said post, which fell vacant upon the demise of puratchi Thalaivi Amma, is yet to be made in accordance with Rule 20 sub clause 2 of the said by law.
O Panneerselvam

AIADMK Leaders Leave for Delhi

The ongoing tussle in Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK party has manifested into a full-blown public feud between caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and party General Secretary VK Sasikala.

Pro-Sasikala faction’s senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai left for Delhi along with nine party leaders.

A day after Panneerselvam said he was forced to resign as the caretaker Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sasikala told CNN-News18 that she was very disappointed with Panneerselvam for betraying the party and called him a traitor.

The General Secretary said that the Opposition DMK had a role to play in Panneerselvam’s open attack against the party members.

On being asked about the governor’s lack of response, Sasikala elaborated that a letter with the names of all MLAs who supported her was sent to governor C Vidyasagar Rao. His office told them the governor was in Ooty.

(With agency and media inputs)

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Become a Member to unlock
  • Access to all paywalled content on site
  • Ad-free experience across The Quint
  • Early previews of our Special Projects
Continue

Published: 08 Feb 2017,12:35 AM IST

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL FOR NEXT