As it happened: Panneerselvam says he is ready to take back his resignation as CM; Sasikala faction slams him

Tamil Nadu acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday paid homage to J Jayalalithaa when he sat in meditation alone at her burial site in Marina beach. He also stated that he came to Amma's memorial to reveal certain truths after his meditation.

O. Panneerselvam was seen sitting in silence. He came to the memorial at around 9 p.m. and was seen sitting in 'meditation' till about 9.40 p.m.

Panneerselvam's move gains significance in view of the confusion surrounding V.K. Sasikala's swearing-in as Chief Minister.

Panneerselvam, who is also AIADMK party treasurer, proposed Sasikala's name for legislature party leader at the MLAs’ meeting on Sunday and faxed his resignation to Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao. 

“We thought he was a good man. We didn't know he was so selfishAIADMK spokesperson to Thanthi,”said on Panneerselvam’s statement.

Governor Vidyasagar Rao had accepted Panneerselvam's resignation. V K Sasikala has now called a meeting with AIADMK cadre at Poes garden. 

ALSO READ | Panneerselvam vs Sasikala | Tamil Nadu Governor Vidya Sagar Rao not to fly to Chennai on Wednesday: Reports

Congress spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala also took a dig at PM Modi on Twitter on the ongoing Tamil Nadu CM drama.

As Governor refuses to conduct swearing in, an outgoing Tamil Nadu CM rebels. Is PM Modi trying to bring down one more elected Govt ? 1/n

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 7, 2017

The scene outside #Panneerselvam home. All these vehicles and people followed him from jaya memorial to his home pic.twitter.com/FNDQbIdDTP

— T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) February 7, 2017

Here are live updates:

#10:28 PM

At a meeting at Sasikala's place senior party leaders were present&question of her being CM came.I asked how far was this justified: TN CM

#10:22 PM

I was given the CM post but insulted continuously: TN CM O.Panneerselvam

#10:15 PM

When she was in the hospital I asked her, she (Jayalalithaa) asked me to take over as CM: TN CM O.Panneerselvam

The current party position in Tamil Nadu Assembly is as follows:

AIADMK - 135

DMK - 89

Congress - 8

Other - 2

Total - 234

For vertical split in party, 90 MLAs support is needed for Panneerselvam if he goes for a division of AIADMK.

OPS - the permanent CM of TamilNadu.

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I will be ready to fight even alone - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

As far as i m concerned, only the person who has support of the cadre and ppl - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

It was only because I was forced that I stepped down - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Amma's soul told me to inform this to the people of the State - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was informed that Sasikala shud take over as CM. When I asked whats the necessity, they told me one person shud have both posts - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I came to know that there was a meeting of the MLAs. I didnt have info - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

The schemes announced in 2011 were praised by everyone. We have to take her legacy forward - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Sellur Raju, Sengotaiyann, all spoke the same thing. My own ministers were talking against them - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was given the CM post but insulted continuously - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was told the Udhayakumar was warned, They said no one will talk like this anymore - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Revenue Minister, R B Udhayakumar, said Sasikala shud take over as CM, when I was the CM.

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

While I was meeting PM, on the other side Thambidurai took 50 MPs and came to meet the PM - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Next came Jallikattu. It was a democratic uprising, without a hitch for 4 days. I met Shri @narendramodi & explained situation- CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

We also had water scarcity problem. We knew that AP had water. We met @ncbn to get some water. He immediately gave it - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

It was then that Vardah cyclone came, it was set right in 4 days. It was done as Amma's wishes. This upset them - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

After the genral council meet, I worked with utmost dedication to fulfill amma's dreams - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

On the 2nd day of taking over as CM, Health minster told me Diwakar wanted to say something to me - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

On the 2nd day of taking over as CM, Health minster told me Diwakar wanted to say something to me - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I accpeted the post only after they told me if I dont accept it will bring disrepute to the party - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I accpeted the post only after they told me if I dont accept it will bring disrepute to the party - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I told them I was happy to have stepped aside for Amma when she was alive. I told them they can appoint whoever they want. - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was first told Madhusudhanan should take over as Gen Sec. I didnt accept it. I opposed it - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was crying for almost half an hour hearing abt her situation - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I was crying for almost half an hour hearing abt her situation - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

"When I asked what is d next step?" "I was told that we have 2 b ready for any eventuality" - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Have to save the party & the state, I was told - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I want to tell some truth to the ppl of ths country & party cadre - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I came here because my conscience was pricking - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

I paid homage to my beloved leader - CM

— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017

Also Read: It is constitutional obligation of Governor to swear in Sasikala as Tamil Nadu CM, no ground for stopping it, says AIADMK