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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Feb 15, 2017, 12:42 AM IST
With All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) general secretary VK Sasikala standing disqualified to take over as the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the party leadership has appointed Edapadi K. Palanisami as the new legislative leader. Caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has been expelled from the party. As an aftermath to this development, Palanisami can meet the TN Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao and stake the claim to form the government in the state.
The political stalemate in the state, however, looks far from getting resolved as this would leave chances of a toss up between Palanisamy and Panneerselvam, if the governor asks for proof of majority in the assembly. Earlier in the day, Sasikala suffered a major jolt after the Supreme Court upheld the trial court's judgement convicting her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case against her.
Late J. Jayalalithaa, along with Sasikala and two others, were involved in the DA case that goes back two decades.
The Bengaluru trial court had convicted Jayalalithaa on September 27, 2014 and ordered her four years of imprisonment along with Rs 100 crore fine, with Rs 10 crore fine on the other three. The conviction disqualified her as an MLA requiring her to step down as the chief minister. She, however, returned as the chief minister after the Karnataka High Court on May 11, 2015 acquitted her and the others in the case.
Sasikala told her supporters at Poes Garden residence after returning from the resort on Tuesday night, "Everyone's asking why they're delaying, even after we've elected a new leader. All of you should work in a united way (to MLAs). We need to install Amma's statue in our offices. In every district of TN we should have building for AIADMK, Even if there's a problem now, I will continue to monitor. Whatever jail they put me in - they can't jail my heart. They can't jail my thoughts. Whether I'm here or in another state, I will work for the party 24 hours a day. This case was lodged by our enemy Karunanidhi."
Will make sure that the path left behind (by Amma) will be followed by the right people: #Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar pic.twitter.com/kI3p8BusSA
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Sasikala reaches Poes Garden; greets her supporters.
Chennai: Late TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar & #OPanneerselvam paid tributes to #Jayalalithaa at Marina Beach. pic.twitter.com/W8Aqi5INWs
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Yes, it is: Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar on being asked if this is her official entry into politics #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/HWcKD9GoFG
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Earlier, addressing MLAs at Kuvathur Golden Bay resort, Sasikala said, "I feel so satisfied that despite facing troubles, MLAs are supporting me. She also seemed to get emotional.
#VKSasikala breaks down while speaking; says "no force can separate me from AIADMK; no matter where I'll be, I'll always think about party." pic.twitter.com/ADnuVA77Ul
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
#WATCH: #VKSasikala breaks down while addressing MLAs at Kuvathur Golden Bay resort; says, "no force can separate me from AIADMK." pic.twitter.com/EZFaP7CzcV
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
VK Sasikala has just left Kuvathur's Golden Bay resort, where she was staying since Monday evening.
VK Sasikala leaves Kuvathur's Golden Bay resort. pic.twitter.com/tjATMkQy2u
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
AIADMK's V Maitreyan and PH Pandian ( #OPanneerselvam supporters) leave after meeting Tamil Nadu Governor at Raj Bhavan pic.twitter.com/moOkPTwGPR
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
DGP and Chennai's police commissioner S George meets TN Governor at Raj Bhavan, on law and order situation of the state.
Chennai: Supporters including transgenders felicitate #OPanneerselvam at his residence after SC's DA case verdict that convicted #VKSasikala pic.twitter.com/aoMM5yYDX5
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Chennai: AIADMK Legislature party leader Edappadi K.Palanisamy met Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan today. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/0BcuJSoFin
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
ANI reports: AIADMK MP and O Panneerselvam supporter V Maitreyan to meet Governor in Raj Bhavan at 7 PM
Palaniswami's meeting with Governor ends. He stakes claim to form government and submits list of MLAs supporting him.
S. Semmalai, AIADMK MLA and Panneerselvam supporter said they were prevented from entering the resort where the other MLAs are lodged. He also denounced K Palanisami who was appointed the AIADMK legislative head.
Edapadi K.Palanisamy is not a fit person to hold the post; he's fit for nothing: S. Semmalai, AIADMK MLA and supporter of #OPanneerselvam pic.twitter.com/q4ZY95ctue
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Here's all you need to know about K Palanisamy who was appointed the AIADMK legislative party head today. Read more here
Chennai (TN): AIADMK Legislature party leader Edapadi K.Palanisamy reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao. pic.twitter.com/m5fu4WO2i0
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to meet AIADMK Legislature party leader Edapadi K.Palanisamy;Security outside Guv's residence. pic.twitter.com/CskQCgBnMe
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao gives appointment to AIADMK Legislature party leader Edapadi K.Palanisamy at 5:30 pm today.
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
#TN: Police stopped #opaneerselvam's supporters while they were on the way to Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur, where party MLAs are staying pic.twitter.com/GfTNlIqAlC
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Sasikala expels scores of "rebels" including Minister K Pandiarajan and senior leader C Ponnaiyan
Nobody has the authority to elect anybody: Panneerselvam camp on election of Palaniswami as AIADMK Legislature Party leader.
We have sent a letter staking claim to form "Amma's government", says Edappadi K Palaniswami
Panneerselvam urges AIADMK MLAs to sink differences, work together to keep party united and continue 'Amma's rule'.
"Amma rule will continue. We will continue to implement her policy and schemes. Our rule will continue with the majority MLAs supports. We will not need support of other parties or opposition parties. It is our duty to maintain law and order. I thank all the leaders, cadres and youths for their support," Panneerselvam
#WATCH: #OPanneerselvam 's supporters in Chennai celebrate #VKSasikala 's conviction pic.twitter.com/UtICOzS9hZ
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
Four state transport buses have entered the Golden Bay resort in Kovathur led by two IGP rank officers
Chennai: #OPanneerselvam 's supporters celebrate #VKSasikala 's conviction pic.twitter.com/zllwJgL8hH
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
DMK working president MK Stalin on SC's verdict
The justice has prevailed after 21 years of trail. It is an historical verdict. It is a lesson for the politician to maintain probity in the public life. I appeal to the Governor to immediately take steps to form a stable government.
Sasikala has always taken Jayalalithaa's burden on her; she has done it again. Dharma will prevail, says AIADMK
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 14, 2017
Reactions to SC verdict
After 20 years I won. Now turn of TDK Buddhu PC BC & Tata to join in jail
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 14, 2017
Over 2500 policemen were deployed under the supervision of three district SPs in and around the Golden Bay resort in Koovathur near Chennai.
O Pannerselvam @CMOTamilNadu tweets: Justice prevails. #TNSaved.
நீதி வென்றது. #TNSaved
— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 14, 2017
# SC quashes Karnataka HC verdict acquitting AIADMK General.
# SC, however, abates the appeal proceedings against J Jayalalithaa owing to her death on December 5 last. SC restores in toto the conviction and sentence awarded by the trial court in Bengaluru to all the accused.
# All the convicted persons have to serve the remaining part of the sentence.
⇒ AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala Natrajan will have to surrender herself to jail for undergoing remaining jail term.
AIADMK senior leader M. Thambidurai reaches Golden Bay Resort in Kovathur to meet V KSasikala, who is already present inside.
TN: Security deployed outside Golden Bay Resort as a precaution in wake of today's judgement in DA case against
