‘Will approach Prez if necessary’

After getting the support of 21 MLAs for its rebellion against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the camp of sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran on Saturday and said they would approach President Ram Nath Kovind if Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao fails to act on their letter withdrawing support to Palaniswami.

“We want to strengthen the party and Mr Palaniswami does not have that capability. He does not have the administrative acumen too. If he is not replaced in keeping with our demand, we will meet the President in two days,” Dinakaran loyalist and Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamilselvan said.

The Governor arrived here on Saturday afternoon from Mumbai and he is expected to take a call on the letters given by the dissident legislator’s petitions.

Vriddhachalam MLA VT Kalaiselvan and Aranthangi MLA E Rathinasabapathy joined the 19 dissident MLAs who were staying in a private resort in Puducherry on Friday night after extending support to Dinakaran. Breaking his silence on the ongoing tussle between himself and Palaniswami, Dinakaran said it was a war between sacrifice and betrayal.

VOLTE FACE

• We want to strengthen the party and Mr Palaniswami does not have that capability, Dinakaran loyalist and Andipatti MLA said.
   
• Vriddhachalam MLA VT Kalaiselvan and Aranthangi MLA E Rathinasabapathy joined 19 dissident MLAs who were staying in a private resort in Puducherry on Friday night