08 February, 2017
Rao yesterday accepted the resignation of chief minister O. Panneerselvam. With his revolt, it is clear that none of his colleagues in the caretaker government will offer cooperation to run the administration.
Ten people, who blew a conch near former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residencewhere AIADMK General Secretary and Legislature party leader V K Sasikala is statying, were arrested by the police today. She was perceived as a behind the scenes, power centre, known only for her close association with Jayalalithaa, and did not have the grass roots support of the party.
The Pandians earlier questioned the legality of the AIADMK General Council's election of Sasikala as its General Secretary.
He claimed that before she died "Amma held my hand and told me that I should be chief minister".
Was Sasikala responsible for Jayalalitha's death?
For the governor, this is a tricky situation.
This was after he left everyone shocked after his sudden decision to visit the burial site of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Marina beach for unscheduled meditation.
Tuesday's developments have clearly come as a major blow to Sasikala and her supporters. "There are reports that Jayalalithaa was pulled down by someone in her residence and she lost consciousness", charged Paul Pandian, the minority face of the AIADMK while speaking to reporters at his Anna Nagar residence in Chennai.
They claimed that the late leader was instead betrayed by Pandian himself.
Strongly opposing her elevation as AIADMK chief, Pandian said it was against party rules.
Meanwhile, Mr. P. H. Pandian, a party veteran, today claimed there had been a quarrel at Ms. Jayalalithaa's residence here, during which she had been "pushed down" and collapsed on September 22 a year ago, the day she was admitted to hospital, an allegation that will only add to the suggestions of intrigue surrounding her death. They added, "After Jayalalithaa's death the party continues to stand united".
Further, this revolt will certainly not end with Panneerselvam. The duo's meeting was arranged by another Amma aide VS Chandralekha, IAS, who deputed Sasikala's husband as her PRO. For Sasikala, blaming the BJP was the only escape route from the crisis. By that time, she can hope to have played the game of patronage and penalties to dissolve opposition from within.
On being asked whether she thought the Governor was not holding her swearing-in ceremony because of a conspiracy, Sasikala said, "Your thoughts are my thoughts".
Panneerselvam, who is an experienced and time tested politician, has proved his worth many a time.
