Tamil Nadu crisis | Chinnamma stakes claims to form government, says AIADMK
Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao is in Chennai today to meet caretaker CM O Panneerselvam and AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan.
The power struggle between incumbent Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan continued for this third day as Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao visited to the state.
Tamil Nadu Governor arrived in Chennai on Thursday afternoon and met Panneerselvam at 5 PM, while the meeting with Sasikala and her camp of AIADMK MLAs for the first time since she was elected as leader of the AIADMK legislature party took place at 7.30 PM. The expectation is that the Governor will decide on swearing-in Sasikala only after the Supreme Court's verdict in the disproportionate assets case, in which she is an accused.
Meanwhile, AIADMK MPs are in the national capital to knock at the door of President Pranab Mukherjee in order to seek his intervention for bringing political stability in the state. They will meet him on Thursday.
Sasikala loyalist Thambidurai met Arun Jaitley and PM Modi claiming support of 130 MLAs in favour of Sasikala's swearing-in.
Follow live updates of the events here as they unfold:
Latest Updates
Will head to Delhi if governor delays: Sasikala
Sasikala places a list of 130 MLAs at Jayalalithaa's memorial.
Panneerselvam speaks to media while Sasikala is in a meeting with Governor.
Meeting underway between Sasikala and Governor at Raj Bhavan.
According to a news channel, this is on Sasikala's agenda for the meeting:
1. Provide letter of support2. Claim support of 129 MLAs3. Demand to be sworn in immediately4. Cite constitutional backing
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Watch Sasikala offer prayers at Jayalalithaa's memorial:
Sasikala on the way to meet Governor.
Sasikala visits Jaya memorial, to meet Governor at 7.30 PM.
Sasikala is set to meet with the Governor soon.
Sasikala loyalist Thambidurai meets Arun Jaitley and PM Modi, claims support of 130 MLAs.
Sasikala sacks AIADMK Puducherry leader
AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala expelled party's Puducherry leader Om Sakthi Segar from the primary membership for alleged anti-party activities after he reportedly extended support to Chief Minister O Panneerselvam who has launched a rebellion against her.
Segar, who had unsuccessfully contested against Congress veteran and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in the recent Nellithope bypoll, has gone against party principles and brought disrepute to it, Sasikala said in a statement.
He is being stripped of all party posts including the primary membership, Sasikala said, without elaborating.
Segar had reportedly extended support to Panneerselvam, who has raised a banner of revolt against Sasikala.
Sasikala subsequently sacked Panneerselvam from the top party post of Treasurer.
- PTI
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, amidst a political turmoil in the state following his revolt against AIADMK chief VK Sasikala.
Panneerselvam called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan here and held discussions with him for about 15 minutes, sources close to the chief minister said, adding that they were not aware of what transpired between the two.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of Panneerselvam saying he would withdraw his resignation from the post of chief minister, which he had tendered last Sunday, if required.
He had offered to quit as chief minister citing "personal reasons", following the election of Sasikala as AIADMK Legislature Party leader, paving her way towards the top post in the state.
Raising a banner of revolt on February 7, Panneerselvam had alleged that he was forced to step down for Sasikala to become the chief minister.
- PTI
Sasikala to visit Jaya memorial before meeting Governor.
According to a news channel, O Pannerselvam discussed following things with Governor:
1. Panneerselvam said he was forced to resign.2. Sasikala's elevation was done by fraudulent means.3. Defections prove illegality.4. Sasikala's majority manufactured.
Petition handed to governor, meeting lasted 5-7 minutes​
Governor said dharma will win: O Panneerselvam
Panneerselvam says "there will be good news soon".
Governor told me justice will be done: O Panneerselvam
Thank all my MLAs for suppoting me: O Panneerselvam
Truth will prevail, justice will be done: Panneerselvam
Panneerselvam hands over the petition to Governor, meeting ended in 5 minutes.
Panneerselvam leaves from Raj Bhavan.
Panneerselvam meets Governor Vidyasagar Rao with 10 AIADMK leaders.
Panneerselvam reaches Raj Bhavan, meeting to commence shortly.
Panneerselvam leaves to meet Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan.
AIADMK MLA Vaigai Selvan: "It was Madhusudanan's proposal, he supported Sasikala as CM. Sad development that he has now turned to Panneerselvam."
TN Education Minister Pandiarajan: " VK Sasikala will meet Governor at Raj Bhavan at 7:30 pm today and will stake claim to form Government in Tamil Nadu. We have letter of support for VK Sasikala from 135 MLAs including Paneerselvam, we still have that letter."
On reports of MLAs being forced to stay at hotels to keep from defecting to OPS's camp, the minister said, "MLAs have been staying at their convenience at hotels etc. They have not been forced or compelled to do anything."
On OPS' turnaround, he said, "We have not overruled any of his suggestions, whatever has been done was after his consent, no pressure tactics," adding, "All AIADMK MLAs are willing to meet the Governor if he wishes to meet as well."
Rajnath Singh on the political struggle in the state: "Current political scenario in Tamil Nadu is AIADMK's internal matter. Govt has nothing to do with it."
Panneerselvam will reportedly meet the governor with a team of 10 other leaders. Sasikala will meet him alone.
Panneerselvam has left for the airport to receive Governor Vidyasagar Rao. He will meet with Rao at 5 pm at the Raj Bhavan. Sasikala will meet the governor at 7 pm.
Meanwhile, a meeting is underway between Sasikala and senior AIADMK leaders at Poes Garden to decide the next course of action.
According to media reports, Panneerselvam will meet the Governor first at 5 pm. Sasikala's meeting with Vidyasagar Rao will take take place at 7:30 pm.
"When Amma was in hospital, after 24 days Sasikala told me she is fine. That was the first time she spoke to me," ANI quotes Panneerselvam as saying.
He also added that he was prepared to respond to any allegations levelled by Sasikala camp.
According to Times Now, Sasikala has called for an emergency meeting of AIADMK leaders at Poes Garden.
Addressing the media outside his residence Panneerselvam asserted that he had the support of AIADMK MLAs and said, "Our senior leader Madhusudan was threatened and pressurised, even after that he stood alone to safeguard party. We welcome him."
"It is Sasikala who is doing dirty tricks to acquire the CM chair. If she succeeds it will be a big blot on democracy," the caretaker CM said.
He also added, "One family trying to control AIADMK. The party is priority and must be protected. We will do everything to protect the party. We must protect MGR's party. I welcome those who join me."
Referring to a letter allegedly written in 2012, Panneerselvam said that Sasikala had admitted to betraying Jayalalithaa. "Sasikala is lying when she says she never betrayed Amma," he said.
In a show of support, MLAs in favour of Panneerselvam arrived at this residence led by Madhusudan and Maitreyan. "Pannerselvam is the real heir of Amma," said V Maitreyan.
Madhusudan said, "I have come to offer my support to O Panneerselvam."