The silence of the Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagara Rao seems to be making the AIADMK general Secretary V K Sasikala’s camp nerves. Though still numbers are not in his favour, interim Chief Minister O Panneerselvam camp is seen in jubilant with growing exodus from Sasikala’s camp.
Rejecting media reports that he has sent a three-page report to the centre, Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s office last night has clarified that he has not sent any report to the Centre on the prevailing political situation and formation of the government in the state. This has indicated that the Governor is not in a hurry to take a decision or eager to find out an amicable solution to the present stalemate.
It seems this has causing impatience to Sasikala and has again written a letter to Governor today urging him to “act fast taking into account the good of the state.” Meanwhile, Panneerselvam started off a signature campaign to turn Jayalalithaa’s `Veda Nilayam’ into a memorial.
In a dramatic development, School Education Minister Ma Foi Pandiarajan today has indicated his support to Panneerselvan. He was with Sasikala when she met the Governor two days ago. But today in a tweet he indicated his shifting of loyalty stating “Will surely listen to the collective voice of my voters & decide in a way to uphold the dignity of Amma’s memory & unity of AIADMK !”
Moreover, two more MPs, Ashok Kumar from Krishnagiri and P.R. Sundaram from Namakkal also today extended support to the caretaker Panneerselvam. Sundaram was one of four MLAs who managed to win the Assembly elections in 1996. Even Jayalalithaa was defeated in that elections.
Sources said Governor Vidyasagara Rao does not want to be seen as being rushed into installing either AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala or the rebel incumbent O Panneerselvam as the chief minister. The absence of any decision is being interpreted as the governor deciding to wait for the verdict in the wealth case against Sasikala that the Supreme Court is expected to deliver early next week.
