Tamil Nadu crisis | Release 129 MLAs from resort, allow them to meet people in their constituencies: OPS to Sasikala

Jayalalithaa's former nurse backs Sasikala, declares her as the true heir. Read more here

#TamilNadu: VK Sasikala reaches Poes Garden residence in Chennai after meeting MLAs at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur. pic.twitter.com/pyNqv4ETSU

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

#WATCH: #VKSasikala breaks down while addressing AIADMK MLAs at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/t5BYySbqwQ

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

#TamilNadu: AIADMK MP Parthiban extends support to #OPanneerselvam pic.twitter.com/oeIcmuHTdF

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Shedding crocodile tears,passing new remarks every day is not going to help. Will prove everything in assembly: #Panneerselvam on #Sasikala pic.twitter.com/vIpMW2Ghfw

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Meanwhile, here's what's happening at the Panneerselvam camp:

Even today many party MLAs are contacting me and telling, for each MLA there are four 'gundas' sitting: #Panneerselvam #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/TPmWbfe7z4

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Panneerselvam told ANI:

"Many party cadres not even in Chennai, are voicing their opinion against Sasikala assuming charge as TN CM." "I have a question. Yesterday #VKSasikala went to Kuvathur (where MLAs are staying at Golden Bay resort). Why did she go?"

"Only Amma stood by me all these years.Telling this for the first time, I was subjected to harassment & torture all these years."

"Deepa (Jayalalithaa's niece) was not allowed to even see Amma's body? Why?"

Sasikala is now addressing her party MLAs at the resort:

"You all are aware as to what extent our opponents have gone against us, we must stay together and foil their evil attempts."

Breaking down, an emotional Sasikala said, "Nobody can even touch this party and government.. 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.. We will form the government, will then visit Amma's memorial & take a photograph, will show it to the world then. This is our pledge."

"Portrait of Amma has to be installed in state assembly to show gratitude. Some people with us don't want it to happen."

"I will achieve everything if you all stand firmly behind me, I won't move away, I will be firm as I have been with Amma," she said.

#TamilNadu: #VKSasikala breaks down while addressing party MLAs at Golden Bay resort pic.twitter.com/41g2kOv7Hc

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

VK Sasikala speaks to the media at Golden Bay resort:

"Party workers, and forces now opposing us will not succeed in their attempts, won't let it happen."

"You can see truth that none of our MLAs have been forcibly kept here, we are living here as a family. Opposition parties are spreading rumours. Party MLAs are not locked up."

On being asked if she would protest if not invited to form Government, she said, "We are working on it."  

Let it come, I will see: VK Sasikala when asked about the pending verdict in DA Case pic.twitter.com/EPBZx5Nkop

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Please wait and see our next move: V K Sasikala. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/QUCkVjaVv2

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

#WATCH: VK Sasikala at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur to meet MLAs. Similar meeting was held yesterday as well. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/jJ5syef0rj

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Supporters chant slogans for #Panneerselvam as he meets and greets the crowd gathered at his residence in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/Tc0Wg9tuSp

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

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 pic.twitter.com/vvNVNJqNgO

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Chennai: Tamil director, producer and actor Manobala extends support to #Panneerselvam pic.twitter.com/nLXziglvWF

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

#TamilNadu: VK Sasikala reaches Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur to meet MLAs. Similar such meeting was held yesterday as well. pic.twitter.com/Vvqcu3JA0i

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

AIADMK's official Twitter account tweeted, "We condemn the fake letter created in the name of Chinnamma by miscreants with malicious intentions to disrupt the law and order situations. The contents in the letter are false and was not written by respected Chinnamma."

The tweeted was signed as written by the AIADMK headquarters.

Sasikala is en route to the Golden Bay resort in Koovathur to meet AIADMK MLAs.

Sasikala: "The same situation occurred during (Jayalalithaa)Puratchi Thalaivi's time, when some people stepped out from the party. The treason was shattered by Puratchi Thalaivi Amma to make AIADMK the most powerful party. AIADMK government will continue in Tamil Nadu."

AIADMK's official Twitter account says that Sasikala is going to meet party MLAs.

Sasikala says: "The same group which went against Amma is now attacking us. Tiding rough sea has taken AIADMK to pinnacle of success. I am not scared of such threats."

Addressing the letter to the governor, she said, "A letter has been circulated as if I have written it. It shows there are people who cannot tolerate a lady getting into politics."

AIADMK headquarters condemns the fake letter drafted addressing the governor. pic.twitter.com/4s6L24k4Ob

— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 12, 2017

"Things which are happening now are not new to us. There were attempts in past also to divide the party. We have faith in Democracy. True party people are the foundation of AIADMK. Hurdles and betrayals are the path which we have crossed. Our party will traverse these betrayals only to witness success."

T Tamilselvan, who is lodged at Koovathur resort with several other AIADMK MLAs, said, "We're staying here by choice, there is no compulsion. Heard that OPS will come here and seek support but he has no right."

On the next course of action by their camp after waiting for the governor's response, R Vaithiligam said, "Whether it will be a protest or legal remedy will be decided by Sasikala."

ANI reports that Education Minister K Pandiarajan, who offered support to Panneerselvam on Saturday, is meeting with Mylapore MLA R Nataraj.

A total of 10 MPs, eight from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha have joined Panneerselvam's faction. Six MLAs are on his side.

Meanwhile, AIADMK MP R Vaithiligam said, "Party general secretary VK Sasikala is waiting for governor's response. Will announce upcoming step if nothing comes by today."

AIADMK MPs R Lakshmanan  and S Rajendran meet Panneerselvam and extend their support.

AIADMK MP R Lakshmanan has been expelled from Vizhupuram North district secretary post after reports that he is joining OPS. CV Shanmugham to replace him, reports ANI.

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 is also present at Panneerselvam's residence, reports ANI.

Party members and supporters are at Panneerselvam's residence in Chennai to felicitate him.

Party members and supporters felicitate #OPanneerselvam at his residence in Chennai pic.twitter.com/ZHJ2x7cXp4

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

#OPanneerselvam is our leader now, he is following path of M G Ramachandran: Former AIADMK MP and actor Ramarajan pic.twitter.com/wu4MXAaHji

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Sasikala wrote a letter to Governor Vidyasagar Rao earlier in the day on Saturday, 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.

She told him she had on Thursday submitted an "elaborate presentation to invite me to form the government as I have absolute majority," besides the original letter and true copy of the resolution electing her as the AIADMK Legislature party leader.

"We waited till today. Tomorrow (Sunday), we will protest in another form," she said when asked to comment on the absence of response from the Governor even 48 hours after she staked claim to form the government.

On Saturday, Sundaram and Ashok Kumar, Lok Sabha members from Namakkal and Krishnagiri, respectively extended their support to Panneerselvam. Later in the evening, Sathyabama and Vanaroja, representing Tiruppur and Tiruvannamalai constituencies in the Lok Sabha, also came out in support of Panneerselvam, saying he enjoys the support of the people. Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan has already extended support to Panneerselvam.

Party veteran C Ponnaiyan, party spokesman and minister in the MGR Cabinet, also drove to Panneerselvam's residence and offered his support. A former minister M M Rajendra Prasad also joined the Chief Minister's camp.

Sathyabama, in a veiled attack on Sasikala, said, "A priest, though venerable, cannot become God, and similarly nobody can become Amma." She accused Sasikala of favouring those who were "rejected" by late Jayalalithaa. "Today, those were rejected by Amma are holding big positions there (Sasikala group)," Satyabama said, flanked by Panneerselvam and other leaders of his faction.

After these switchovers, Panneerselvam camp has seven MLAs, including him. In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, AIADMK has 135 MLAs.