New Delhi:
Tamil Nadu turmoil saw a dramatic turn of events when an MLA and four MPs deserted VK Sasikala and joined O Panneerselvam’s faction, citing a groundswell of support for OPS.
Education Minister K. Pandiarajan and party spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan — switched sides on Saturday giving further boost to the rebel camp.
Sasikala, the AIADMK General Secretary who met the legislators supporting her at a retreat near Chennai said that the delay by the Governor in inviting her to form the government appeared to facilitate split in our party.
Live updates:
# Panneerselvam launches attack on Sasikala, says 'Amma had many servants, all of them can't take her place
# Shedding crocodile tears, passing new remarks every day is not going to help. Will prove everything in assembly: Panneerselvam on Sasikala
# Only Amma stood by me all these years.Telling this for the 1st time, I was subjected to harassment & torture all these years: Panneerselvam
# Many party cadres not even in Chennai, are voicing their opinion against Sasikala assuming charge as TN CM: OPS
# We will form the Govt, will then visit Amma's memorial & take a photograph, I'll show it to the world then. This is our pledge: VK Sasikala
# Panneerselvam who was a minister for so long, is today all out to destroy. It is same as hitting your eye with your own finger: V K Sasikala
# Tamil Nadu: V KSasikala breaks down while addressing party MLAs at Golden Bay resort
# You all are aware as to what extent our opponents have gone against us, we must stay together and foil their evil attempts: VK Sasikala
# VK Sasikala addresses MLAs at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur
# Opposition parties are spreading rumours. Party MLAs are not locked up: VK Sasikala at Golden Bay resort
# We are working on it V K Sasikala on being asked if she would protest if not invited to form Government.
# Party workers and forces now opposing us will not succeed in their attempts, won't let it happen: VK Sasikala at Golden Bay resort
# Let it come, I will see: VK Sasikala when asked about the pending verdict in DA Case
# Please wait and see our next move: V K Sasikala
# You can see truth that non of our MLAs have been forcibly kept here, we are living here as a family: VK Sasikala
# Meeting between VK Sasikala and MLAs begins at Golden Bay resort
"O. Panneerselvam, Amma's only political heir" -posters put up outside #OPanneerselvam's residence in Chennai. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/nB9ZcffC1a
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017
# Supporters chant slogans for Panneerselvam as he meets and greets the crowd gathered at his residence in Chennai
# I have extensively worked with Panneerselvam,he is a very nice man. Under his leadership, one can pop his collar and walk: Manobala
# Tamil Nadu: Panneerselvam meets supporters at his residence in Chennai.
# Sasikala reaches Kuvathoor to meet party MLAs for second consecutive day
# Sasikala still holds majority of MLAs, we're sure that she only will carry forward legacy of periamma: Piramila (Jayalalithaa's nurse in 2001)
# We believe in democracy, all MLAs are with me, will interact with them. You all know why all MPs are going to the other side: VKSasikala
#Staying by choice, no compulsion.Heard that OPS will come here&seek support but he has no right-T.Tamilselvan MLA lodged at Koovathur resort.
#Whether it(next course of action after waiting for Guv's response) will be protest or legal remedy to be decided by V K Sasikala
#Tamil Nadu Education Minister K.Pandiarajan has offered support to Panneerselvam, now reached to meet V K Sasikala's husband M.Natarajan at their residence
#Party general secy V K Sasikala waiting for Guv's response, will announce upcoming step if nothing comes by today: AIADMK MP R Vaithiligam
#Total of 10 MPs, 8 from Lok Sabha & 2 from Rajya Sabha have joined Panneerselvam's faction. 6 MLAs already on his side
#Tamil Nadu Governor must decide CM issue by tomorrow otherwise a WP under Art 32 of Constitution can be filed charging abetment of horse trading: S Swamy
#Senior AIADMK leader and former minister P. Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy has sided with Panneerselvam amidst political crisis in Tamil Nadu
#AIADMK's Tuticorin MP Jaisingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee and Vellore MP Senguttuvan join Panneerselvam camp
Chennai: Supporters of #VKSasikala shout anti-#OPanneerselvam slogans, out side Poes Garden pic.twitter.com/oW9Aoa8Y0c
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017
# AIADMK Perambalur MP RP Marutharaja also present at Panneerselvam's residence
# Party members and supporters felicitate Panneerselvam at his residence in Chennai
# Panneerselvam is our leader now, he is following path of M G Ramachandran: Former AIADMK MP and actor Ramarajan
# Former AIADMK MP Ramarajan meets Panneerselvam, extends his support
#AIADMK MPs B.Senguttuvan and J.Jeyasingh extend support to O Panneerselvam; reach his residence to meet him
Sasikala, earlier in the day wrote to the Governor, asking him to take steps immediately to swear her in at the earliest.
She said she was ready to parade the party MLAs supporting her before him.
ALSO READ | OPS draws more blood from Sasikala camp; minister, two MPs join him
Panneerselvam camp now has seven MLAs, including him. In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, AIADMK has 135 MLAs.
As the Governor remained indecisive even 48 hours after she staked claim to form the government, Sasikala tonight said, “We waited till today. Tomorrow, we will protest in another form.”
With PTI Inputs
