AIADMK crisis: As it happened on Wednesday

Jurists were divided on whether Sasikala, against whose acquittal in a disproportionate assets case the Supreme Court is likely to deliver its verdict next week, can be sworn-in as CM.

Chennai: Injecting a new twist to the ongoing political drama in Tamil Nadu, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao would be reaching here on Thursday as AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala on Wednesday mustered an overwhelming majority of party MLAs against a rebellious O Panneerselvam, who claimed he has their backing.

Rao, who had kept away from Chennai for the last three days triggering speculation whether he had reservations on swearing-in Sasikala, will reach here tomorrow afternoon but there was no word on what he plans to do.

Jurists were divided on whether Sasikala, against whose acquittal in a disproportionate assets case the Supreme Court is likely to deliver its verdict next week, can be sworn-in.

08 February 2017

23:28 IST

Paneerselvam writes to bank, says he is the Treasurer of AIADMK, asks not to allow any transactions in party account without his consent.

23:27 IST

AIADMK leader and LS Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who has been in forefront of pro-Sasikala chorus, along with nine party MPs left for New Delhi.

17:21 IST

Sasikala is flying in with all MLAs later tonight to Delhi to parade them before President, CNN-News18 quotes sources as saying.

16:05 IST

Fearing horse-trading, 130 AIADMK MLAs, who are supporting Sasikala, taken away in a bus to an undisclosed location, reports say.

15:49 IST

BJP is trying to fish in troubled waters of Tamil Nadu "unconstitutionally" and instructing the Governor to not go to the state, Congress alleged and asked the Centre to stay off the issue.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, "I must say it is extremely wrong, unconstitutional and patently illegal on the part of BJP and the Central government to fish in the troubled waters of Tamil Nadu."

"They have no business to instruct the governor to not go to Tamil Nadu."

15:35 IST

Was sacked as I supported O Panneerselvam, will continue to work on Amma's path, says ex-IT wing secretary G Ramachandran.

15:04 IST

Superstar Kamal Haasan reacts on the ongoing AIADMK crisis on Twitter.

"We've wasted our freedom years gambling our fanchise on wrong& corrupt politicians. Let's stop blaming them   Lets become incorruptable."

"Don't breakTN in2 a country. I promise, All India will fight 4TN in a civil war of Ahinsa.None might die but the ignorant will come alive."

14:58 IST

AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala sacks IT wing sec G Ramachandran for anti-party activities and appoints VVR Raj Sathyan in his place.

14:49 IST

DMK never supported Panneerselvam, extended support to only certain issues of government, says MK Stalin.

However, the DMK working president said his party welcomes Panneerselvam's announcement to recommend inquiry commission to probe 'doubts' regarding Jayalalithaa's health. 

14:05 IST

BJP has no role in "internal matters" of AIADMK, says Venkaiah Naidu after revolt by O Panneerselvam against Sasikala.

13:18 IST

Sasikala addresses media after meeting AIADMK MLAs.

Sasiklaa hits out at Panneerselvam, says why he remained silent for so long, and alleged that the caretaker Tamil Nadu CM was collaborating with AIADMK's enemies.

The opposition so far unseen but emerging now was a proof that "certain developments our rivals don't desire are happening in the party," she says.

We will not be down with dirty tricks and no other party can strike us as 'Amma' is with us, Sasikala says.

"I faced so many betrayals in the 33 years I have lived with Amma," she says, adding that "Amma was my God for 33 years during which there were many ups and downs, many calamities.
I have overcome all those and we will overcome this one too... I swear this in the name of Amma."

Sasikala alleges Paneerselvam was playing to the dirty games of DMK.

MLAs and ministers were upset by Paneerselvam's decision, says AIADMK chief.

Sasikala says she had noticed "Panneerselvam joining hands with DMK following their conversation in the Assembly." 

She referred to the remark of Deputy DMK Leader Durai Murugan who had last week in the Assembly favoured Panneerselvam to continue as Chief Minister for the rest of the term of the current government, i.e till 2021.

"Panneerselvam not saying anything on this and his silence showed clearly that he had joined hands with DMK. His act had also infuriated the Ministers," she said.

Sasikala, a long-time confidante of Jayalalithaa who has been elected leader of the AIADMK legislature wing, said she "won't tolerate betrayal".

"This is a deceitful plan of the DMK," she said, referring to DMK leader MK Stalin's vociferous opposition to her attempts to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

It is an attempt by DMK to break our party. I will dedicate my life to the reins of Amma. With this I hope all members of the party will be with me in this lifetime objective.

We will show the betrators the power of Amma.

13:04 IST

I will prove majority in the state Assembly, all AIADMK MLAs will stand with me, says Panneerselvam.

11:34 IST

Sasikala Natarajan meets AIADMK MLAs at party headquarters in Chennai.

10:50 IST

O Panneerselvam addresses media, says inquiry commission will be formed to probe 'doubts' regarding Jayalalithaa's health.

Government has responsibility to clear doubts of people. A sitting Supreme Court judge will head the inquiry commission, says Panneerselvam.

Amma remained chief minister for nearly 16 yrs, I happened to become CM twice, all this was wish of Amma, says OPanneerselvam.

Will prove majority inside the Assembly, says Panneerselvam.

I have never gone against AIADMK, the people who are siding with Sasikala are spreading lies about me, says Panneerselvam.

Election will be held soon for the 'permanent' general secretary post of AIADMK, announces Panneerselvam.

Will meet Tamil Nadu people, in each and every city to make my point, Panneerselvam.

Panneerselvam says if Deepa Jayakumar approaches him, he would give her the respect and support what Amma's niece deserves.

10:49 IST

MK Stalin says DMK has nothing to do with AIADMK's 'internal squabbles', asks Sasikala to respond to Panneersevlvam's charges instead of blaming DMK.

10:40 IST

AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan extends support to Panneerselvam.

My conscience as Amma loyalist made me join O Panneerselvam, says Maitreyan.

Expressing confidence in having majority, Maitreyan says, the numbers will be decided on the floor of the state Assembly, not on roads.

10:20 IST

More policemen deployed at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach.

10:18 IST

Governor is the Constitutional authority and he is examining all the aspects and would certainly take appropriate decision, there's no reason to criticise anyone, says Union MInister Venkaiah Naidu.

10:10 IST

AIADMK spokesperson says, the revolt by Panneerselvam against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala is being opportunistic and fuelled by other forces.

"Only when his Chief Minister post was taken away he is raising his voice. But that, too after he had submitted his resignation and sending a 'thank you for your cooperation letter' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao," Avadi Kumar, spokesperson for AIADMK told IANS.

10:07 IST

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sasikala Natarajan should be sworn-in as Tamil Nadu CM.

If Sasikala's swearing-in is delayed, it’ll be against Constitution; President must intervene, Swamy opines.

09:15 IST

DMK leader TKS Elangovan categorically rejects Sasikala's charge that the opposition party was behind Panneerselvam's decision.

Speaking to ANI, Elangovan says, How can we support Panneerselvam when he is our opposition. We are a major party and want to come back to power to expose AIADMK's wrongdoings.

08:50 IST

Panneerselvam says I served Jayalalithaa faithfully and it was strange to see Sasikala rushing to be Tamil Nadu CM.

Had visited hospital daily to enquire about Jayalalithaa's health condition, but couldn't meet her even once, Panneerselvam says.

08:32 IST

Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao is presently in Mumbai. 

In the wake of uncertainty over Rao's plans, the AIADMK asserted it was the constitutional obligation of the Governor to swear in Sasikala as Chief Minister and that there is no ground for stopping it.

Rao, who is in Mumbai, has no plans to go to Chennai as of now, Raj Bhavan sources in Mumbai said, indicating that he could take a decision today. Rao, who is Maharashtra governor, is holding additional charge of Tamil Nadu.

08:31 IST

Sasikala is meeting several Tamil Nadu ministers at Poes Garden residence in Chennai to chalk out future strategy.

08:31 IST

In a dramatic twist former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday evening revolted against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, saying he was forced to resign as the head of government.

The normally quiet and unassuming Man Friday of J Jayalalithaa chose to break his silence on the happenings in the party ever since the death of his mentor on December 5, saying he was being "insulted" by senior ministers and leaders who sought to "undermine" him after electing him the Chief Minister.

In a surprise turn of events on a day when senior AIADMK leader and former Speaker of the state assembly P H Pandian raised the banner of revolt against Sasikala, Panneerselvam made an unexpected visit to Jayalalithaa's 'Samadhi' and sat in meditation for about 40 minutes, creating a flutter in political circles.

"I want to reveal some truths to the people of the country and members of the party, Amma's 'aatma' (soul) has urged me to do so," Panneerselvam said.

"Only a person, who can protect the party and run the government on the principles laid by late J. Jayalalithaa, should come to the helm," he said after ending his 40-minute meditation at Jayalalithaa's memorial at night.

The AIADMK party removed Panneerselvam as party's Treasurer with immediate effect.