Soon after the Supreme Court convicting AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan in the disproportionate assets case, she acted swiftly and get elected her loyalist and senior minister Edappady K Palanisamy as the Legislature Party leader in her place. She also expelled caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam from the party.
On the official Twitter handle, AIADMK said, “O Panneerselvam removed from the primary membership of AIADMK.” Palaniswamy is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao later today and stake claim to form government, according to sources. Sasikala camp wrote to the Governor for his appointment, to stake claim with signed affidavits of MLAs at the earliest.
Meanwhile, a huge contingent of policemen descended on the Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur, minutes after the apex court verdict, to evacuate all the MLAs.
Meanwhile, Panneerselvam urged AIADMK MLAs to let differences sink and work together to keep party united and continue ‘Amma’s rule’. “Amma rule will continue. We will continue to implement her policy and schemes. Our rule will continue with the majority MLAs support. We will not need support of other parties or opposition parties. It is our duty to maintain law and order. I thank all the leaders, cadres and youths for their support,” he said.
Sasikala was elected as the Legislature Party Leader of the AIADMK on February 5. However, two days later, Panneerselvam raised a banner of revolt against her, alleging he was forced to step down for her. Over the last few days, the rival camps have been trading charges and counter-charges with some MPs and MLAs deserting Sasikala to join Panneerselvam’s camp.
Sasikala Natarajan was convicted by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, setting aside the Karnataka High Court verdict which had acquitted her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case that also involved late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
