Subscribe

0

India News

As it happened | Sasikala Natarajan hits out at Panneerselvam, says will give a big blow to the act of betrayal and disloyalty

The turmoil within AIADMK exacerbated with chances of O Panneerselvam escalating his fight against his removal from party’s post on Wednesday.

author-image
ashish ranjan
Updated On
New Update
As it happened | Sasikala Natarajan hits out at Panneerselvam, says will give a big blow to the act of betrayal and disloyalty

VK Sasikala (Image: PTI)

The turmoil within AIADMK exacerbated with chances of O Panneerselvam escalating his fight against his removal from party’s post on Wednesday.

Advertisment

Soon after being removed from the post of AIADMK treasurer by party General Secretary VK Sasikala, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said none had the right to do so and rubbished her claims that DMK was behind his moves.

He said his next course of action would “reflect” the “aspirations” of AIADMK cadres and people of Tamil Nadu.

“No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago,” he told reporters.

Panneerselvam said he had discharged his duties as party treasurer to the satisfaction of Jayalalithaa. “I have the fulfilment that I have done my job as treasurer fully to the satisfaction of Amma.”

On Sasikala’s charge that the DMK was behind him as he was all along smiling at Leader of Opposition in Assembly MK Stalin, he said “only humans can laugh and smiling at people cannot be a crime.”

Asked if the AIADMK chief had charged him with association with DMK as she could not find any other allegation, he quoted a Tamil proverb, the meaning of which is “I have nothing and no one to fear as I have done no wrong.”

Panneerselvam also said “I am a grassroot-level ordinary party worker.”

Asked if he would launch a new party and if he would call on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, he said “please wait and see.”

Here are the live updates:

#1:35PM

Panneerselvam colluded with the party which Amma fought against: Sasikala Natarajan

#1:27PM

Sasikala Natarajan hits out at Panneerselvam, says will give a big blow to the act of betrayal and disloyalty

#1:27PM

Our opponents are after us & spearheading whatever is happening today, but nothing can stop us from following Amma's path: Sasikala Natarajan

#1:27PM

I could sense the acts of CM who completely connived with the opposition: Sasikala Natarajan

#1:25PM 

After Amma's demise, the supporters asked me to take the responsibility; I couldn't as I was very sad: Sasikala Natarajan

#12:55PM

Such allegations are not good, to give political colour to the situation there is not good: MoS Home, Kiren Rijiju on TN political crisis

#12:50PM

I've full majority in the State Assembly, all AIADMK MLAs stand with me: O Panneerselvam

#12:49PM

I'll continue to discharge my duties in accordance with the wishes of people of Tamil Nadu: O Panneerselvam

#12:48PM

To be a TN CM is a huge task but at each and every step, humiliation was carried out by the insiders who were close to me: O Panneerselvam

#12:47PM

I continued with my post only after union govt asked me to do so after resignation: O Panneerselvam

#12:44PM

After assuming CM position, experiences which I had gone through had pained me a lot; being a CM I was targeted & humiliated: O Panneerselvam

#12:10PM

An emergent meeting of the AIADMK MLAs is underway under the leadership of party General Secretary V K Sasikala

#11:54AM

TN Govt administration has collapsed in last 8 months, Governor must immediately come to Chennai to safeguard TN interests: MK Stalin, DMK

#11:53AM

Shameful to say that smiling is an objectionable thing. Now what will she say about the mess people are laughing on now?:MK Stalin, DMK

#11:52AM

There have been times when Jayalalithaa inside assembly greeted me, smiled. Can Sasikala question this act of Jayalalithaa?: MK Stalin,DMK

#11:47AM

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.

#11:37AM

Sasikala Natarajan has now reached party headquarter in Chennai for AIADMK MLAs meeting

#11:36AM

Sasikala Natarajan leaves Poes Garden residence in Chennai for AIADMK MLAs meet at party headquarter

#11:18AM

Panel will be formed to probe Jayalalithaa's death, wasn't allowed to meet her in hospital: Panneerselvam

#11:17AM

I will accept Deepa's (J Jayalalithaa's niece) support, if offered: O Panneerselvam

#11:11AM

Sasikala Natarajan remains interim General secretary of AIADMK: O Panneerselvam

#11:02AM

O Panneerselvam at his residence in Chennai, says will prove my strength in the assembly

#11:00AM

Union Govt supporting Tamil people. Whoever extends support to Tamil people, we will accept it: O Panneerselvam

#10:57AM

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

#10:56AM

I will prove my strength in the assembly: O Panneerselvam in Chennai

#10:55AM

I will meet the Governor once he is back here: O Panneerselvam in Chennai

#10:54AM

Health queries regarding Amma raised in recent past, its duty of state government to enquire. Recommended an enquiry commission:  O Panneerselvam

#10:53AM

Amma remained CM for nearly 16 years, I happened to become CM twice, all this was the wish of Amma. Always followed Amma's path: O Panneerselvam

#10:52AM

If party cadres ask me to withdraw my resignation, I will do that: O Panneerselvam

#10:51AM

There has been no instance where Panneerselvam has betrayed the party, while remaining in power or opposition, says Panneerselvam

#10:49AM

Chinamma will be Tamil Nadu CM undoubtedly, all AIADMK MLAs are behind her: AIADMK MP, Navaneethakrishnan 

#10:48AM

Numbers 154 or 132 will not be decided on roads but on the floor of the assembly: AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan

#10:47AM

My conscience as Amma loyalist made me join O Panneerselvam: AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V. Maitreyan

#10:40AM

AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan reaches O Panneerselvam's residence in Chennai

#10:18AM

More police force deployment at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach

#10:16AM

Sasikala Natarajan should be sworn-in as CM; if delayed it’ll be violence against Constitution; President must intervene: Subramanian Swamy,BJP

#9:50AM

Ahead of AIADMK MLAs meet at party headquarter, Sasikala Natarajan meets leaders including M Thambidurai at Poes Garden

#9:22AM

How can we support O Panneerselvam when he's in oppo? We're major party,want to come back to power,expose AIADMK's wrongdoings: TKS Elangovan

#9:15AM

How can DMK be behind it? How can they blame us for their in-fight? Nothing new in AIADMK: TKS Elangovan, DMK

#9:14AM

There is a force behind everything that is happening, says O Pannerselvam

#8:53AM

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

#8:35AM

#8:05AM

# 8:00AM

#2:47AM

I am a staunch follower of AIADMK and will remain so, wait and see what will happen tomorrow: O Panneerselvam

#2:45AM

Looking at opposition leader & smiling at them isn't a crime. I think smiling is not a crime: O Panneerselvam hits back at Sasikala Natarajan

#2:42AM

I have carried forward the post of treasurer which was entrusted upon me by Amma & I think no one can take it away from me: O Panneerselvam

#2:40AM 

In recent assembly session opposition leader & O Panneerselvam exchanged warmth, they were smiling at each other: Sasikala Natarajan

#2:38AM

Surely we will do it: Sasikala Natarajan on being asked if O Panneerselvam will be removed from all party posts including AIADMK's membership

#2:36AM

DMK is behind O Panneerselvam says Sasikala Natarajan as she waves to supporters outside her Poes Garden residence

#2:34AM

I did not force O Panneerselvam for anything, what he is saying is not correct: Sasikala Natarajan

#2:32AM

No confusion or problem in our party, we are united like a family, says Sasikala Natarajan as she waves to supporters outside Poes Garden

#2:30AM

O Panneerselvam will go to Delhi to meet Pres & Home Ministry, he sought appointment, he'll try to form ministry. He will fail: M.Thambidurai, AIADMK

#2:27AM

All 134 ministers united. Hope Guv will come to Chennai & will invite Chinamma (Sasikala Natarajan) to form ministry: M.Thambidurai, AIADMK

#2:25AM

This is only crocodile tears, he backstabbed the party. DMK forces doing this drama: M.Thambidurai, AIADMK 

#2:22AM

AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V. Maitreyan reaches O Panneerselvam's residence to meet him

#2:20AM

Because there is a situation where there is no govt in existence, Guv must take steps to establish a stable govt: MK Stalin, DMK

#2:15AM

Sasikala Natarajan removes O Panneerselvam from the post of AIADMK's treasurer; Dindigul Sreenivasan appointed in his place.

#2:10AM

Person who hs been administered oath of office by Guv was threatened to tender resignation.Those who did this deserve strict action: MK Stalin

#2:05AM

Sasikala Natarajan didn't allow CM O Panneerselvam to work freely, this is what DMK has been telling & same has been said by OPS: MK Stalin

 

Sasikala removed O Panneerselvam from AIADMK’s top party post

In a quick retaliation after he raised a banner of revolt against her, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala on Tuesday night sacked O Panneerselvam from the top party post of treasurer.

She replaced Panneerselvam with Dindigul C Srinivasan, who is also the Forest Minister and is seen number two in the hierarchy in the Council of Ministers.

The decision to remove Panneerselvam comes after a top level meeting Sasikala chaired at the Poes Garden residence, in which some sitting ministers and a section of senior functionaries participated.

In a brief statement, Sasikala said “O Panneerselvam is being relieved from the post of AIADMK treasurer and Dindigul C Srinivasan is appointed to that post. Party cadres should extend their full cooperation to Srinivasan.”

Meanwhile, supporters continued to throng the Greams Road official residence of Chief Minister Panneerselvam. Many broke into a jig and thanked him for “listening to his conscience and heeding to the call of the soul of Amma.”

Party sources said that Panneerselvam would soon come out with a comprehensive plan of action that he will pursue.

Sasikala alleges DMK’s role in O Panneerselvam’s revolt

In a dramatic development, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala alleged that the main opposition DMK was behind O Panneerselvam’s revolt against her and asserted that all the party MLAs were with her and hence there is “no problem” in her becoming the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

“All the MLAs are there like a single family, so there is no problem,” she told reporters at a crowded press meet.

This was Sasikala’s very first interaction with journalists, albeit at an impromptu press meet in front of her residence at around 1.15 AM.

Though she had addressed party leaders and MLAs after taking over as party chief in December last, this was her first interaction with journalists.

Asked if Panneerselvam, who was removed from the post of party treasurer, would also be removed from AIADMK’s primary membership, she asserted, “for sure, we will do it.”

When asked if she thought that her swearing-in was being delayed by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, though she has been elected leader of the legislature party, she shot back “I feel the same what you feel.”

In reply to another question, she said “DMK is behind Panneerselvam...the reason is that in the recent Assembly session the Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition were looking at each other and laughing together.”

She denied Panneerselvam’s charge that he was coerced to resign, saying “he was saying what he was told.”

Sasikala waved the AIADMK two leaves symbol to party supporters gathered outside the residence, smiled, quickly completed the press meet and went back inside.

Earlier, Stalin said Panneerselvam’s statement that he was coerced to quit was shocking and added that his party may seek convening of the Assembly.

“In Tamil Nadu, a situation of a virtual absence of government has arisen, that Sasikala not at all allow Panneerselvam to function has become very clear from the utterances of the Chief Minister,” Stalin said.

BJP leader H Raja said the Governor has many options now.  “He can check if the signatures affixed by MLAs voicing support for Sasikala was out of their own volition.”

He also said that the legality of Panneerselvam’s resignation has come under a cloud.

Former Union minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss tweeted “Request TN Governor to hear each and every MLA’s consensus individually before appointing the next CM of TN.”

Here are the updates of sequence of events that unfolded on Tuesday:

#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.


AIADMK DMK VK Sasikala O Panneerselvam AIADMK General Secretary