“Justice will be done,” said Panneerselvam after meeting the Governor. Ten AIADMK leaders accompanied him to the Governor’s residence, including party number 2 E Madhusudhanan, who joined his camp earlier today.
“The party is solidly behind “Chinamma”. MPs and MLAs are behind her,” asserted AIADMK spokesperson K Pandiarajan. He also denied that Ms Sasikala, who is called “Chinamma” or mother’s younger sister in the party, is holding AIADMK legislators “captive” in hotels and resorts to ensure they don’t get influenced by Mr Panneerselvam.
Sasikala’s supporters have demanded that she be sworn in as Chief Minister immediately. Ms Sasikala will present to the Governor support letters from 135 legislators, including O Panneerselvam, Mr Panidarajan said.
That letter was signed on Sunday when the AIADMK met and decided that VK Sasikala will be the new Chief Minister. Mr Panneerselvam sent his resignation to the Governor, but two days later dramatically announced that he was coerced to quit.
What happens next in the political crisis depends entirely on Governor Rao, who has been criticised for staying away from Chennai. The Governor’s absence allowed Ms Sasikala’s opponents the opportunity to transform what promised to be a hitchless ascension backed by her entire party, into a political crisis.
Her supporters say the Governor has therefore played a not-so-covert role in undermining her legitimate right to take over as Chief Minister.
Though O Panneerselvam says he will push for the chance to take a trust vote in the legislature, he cannot withdraw his resignation, which has been accepted. His camp has been slowly swelling but most still support Ms Sasikala.
The Supreme Court has said that it will rule next week on whether Ms Sasikala and Ms Jayalalithaa are guilty of corruption in a case dating to the early 90s. The Governor has sought legal advice on whether Ms Sasikala should be asked to wait to take office till the verdict is delivered.
Both Mr Panneerselvam, who was twice handpicked by J Jayalalithaa when she had to step down because of corruption cases, and Ms Sasikala, her constant companion of many years, have invoked “Amma” to assert they have the legitimate claim to the state’s top post that she held five times.
Public opinion appears tilted in favour of Panneerselvam. Ms Sasikala is being vetoed on social media and in Chennai for lacking any credential other than her proximity to Ms Jayalalithaa. She has never won an election either within or outside her party.
