O. Panneerselvam

O Panneerselvam today got a boost, with an MLA and 4 MPs of AIADMK joining him after deserting V K Sasikala who threatened to hold protest tomorrow while targeting Governor Vidyasagar Rao for the delay in swearing her in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Sasikala and her loyalists launched a new strategy and indicated she may not be averse to relinquishing her claim to the CM‘s post and instead nominate other senior leaders to the post.

Two days after staking claim with him to form the government amidst political turmoil in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala today sought an appointment with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to parade MLAs supporting her before him.

Madusudanan had been removed from all posts besides the primary membership for going against the party principles and bringing disrepute to it, she said in a statement here.

As the political potboiler in Tamil Nadu intensifies, all eyes will be on Governor Vidyasagar Rao who met O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala in quick succession.

Tamil Nadu‘s ‘caretaker‘ Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday evening for less than 10 minutes, during which he reportedly sought to withdraw his resignation.

In a huge setback to VK Sasikala, influential AIADMK MLA Madhusudanan has lent support to interim Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

Injecting a new twist to the ongoing political drama in Tamil Nadu, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao would be reaching here tomorrow as AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala today mustered an overwhelming majority of party MLAs against a rebellious O Panneerselvam, who claimed he has their backing.

Refuting AIADMK's allegation that it was aiding Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in his revolt against his party's leadership, DMK today said its support to him was issue-based.

Panneerselvam, sacked as AIADMK Treasurer by Sasikala last night following his outburst against her, insisted she was made General Secretary of the party under "extraordinary circumstances" following Jayalalithaa's death.

DMK working president MK Stalin hit back at VK Sasikala saying that the party had nothing to do with the ruling dispensations "internal squabbles". He accused the AIADMK General Secretary of making false allegations after failing to become chief minister through a "short cut".

Amid a tussle with Jayalalithaa's aide for control of the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said there were doubts surrounding the death of his predecessor.

The election commission may question Sasikala's elevation as AIADMK general secretary, sources privy to the latest development told CNN-News18. Sources said that EC may cite the party constitution and say that there is no provision for a temporary Genereal secretary.

As the political drama unfolded, security at the Greenways Road residence of Panneerselvam was stepped up even as scores of supporters started thronging the area.

The decision to remove Panneerselvam comes after a top level meeting Sasikala chaired at the Poes Garden residence, in which some sitting ministers and a section of senior functionaries participated.

Panneerselvam said he had discharged his duties as party treasurer to the satisfaction of Jayalalithaa.

VK Sasikala, aide of the late J Jayalalithaa, was elected the AIADMK‘s Legislature Party leader on Sunday, paving the way for her elevation as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, replacing O Panneerselvam.

The Tamil Nadu government seems to be heading for a change of guard in favour of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala.

In a letter to Modi, Panneerselvam recalled his government had initially promulgated an ordinance and later replaced it with a bill passed unanimously by the state assembly.

Tamil Nadu and the Centre today worked feverishly to bring out an ordinance for ensuring Jallikattu soon as a general strike brought the state to a standstill and tens of thousands of protesters on Marina beach and elsewhere refused to relent until the sport is held.