OPS orders probe into Jaya's death; questions 'hasty' Sasikala

Moneycontrol BureauAdding further fuel to the political crisis in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday said he would recommend an inquiry commission under a sitting Supreme Court judge to probe the "doubts" surrounding the events leading up to the death of his predecessor J Jayalalithaa, reports PTI.

The announcement came a day after senior AIADMK leader PH Pandian raised doubts over Jayalalithaa's death early December, telling one news channel that the late AIADMK chief had been pushed.

"There are widespread doubts on Amma's health among people," Panneerselvam said. ''It is the responsibility of a government to clear those doubts. An inquiry commission will be recommended to be set up under a sitting Supreme Court judge (to probe the matter)."

Doctors, including the British specialist who treated Jayalalithaa, had recently explained in detail the treatment given by Jayalalithaa.

Panneerselvam had resigned as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday, paving the way for Jayalalithaa aide Sasikala to take over. The Governor accepted his resignation but asked him to continue until alternative arrangements were made. On Tuesday night, after visiting Jayalalithaa's memorial, Panneerselvam said he had been shunted out of the party by Sasikala and would take back his resignation if the party's legislators insisted, reports News18."I don't understand her (Sasikala) rush to become CM, does she not understand the situation in Tamil Nadu?," he told CNN-News18. "I am unable to understand why the rush. When you force people to power, we all know the dire consequences that may happen."

"I never got to see her once even though I went every day for more than 70 days of (Jayalalithaa) her hospitalisation. They turned me away saying she is in ICU and her immunity is low so you must cooperate," Panneerselvam told CNN-News18, adding that he would fight till the end, even as Sasikala claimed to have support of 90 percent of the 135 party legislators.On Thursday, the Election Commission said that no rules were followed by the AIADMK in selecting Sasikala as the party's temporary General Secretary. However, the watchdog has yet to send a notice to the party in this regard.