With OPS unable to get enough number of MLAs, EPS is all set to to be the next CM of Tamilnadu.Governor Vidyasagar Rao is expected to decide by this afternoon who will take oath as Tamil Nadu’s next Chief Minister and, sources said, is likely to invite E Palanisamy.
The swearing in ceremony could be held by this evening and a floor test within three days of that for the new chief minister to prove he has majority support in the state legislature.
Governor Rao had heard competing pitches on Wednesday night from within the AIADMK, first meeting Mr Palanisamy, hand-picked by party chief VK Sasikala and who claimed the support of 124 state legislators. He then met acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who says he has the support of 11 legislators, but expects many more to back him once they are “free” from what he calls “captivity” at a five-star resort near Chennai.
On Thursday morning, 124 of the party’s 134 legislators or MLAs, including Mr Palanisamy were still at the Golden Bay Resort in Mahabalipuram for the ninth day, but several told reporters that they were not being pressured to stay and that they would do the bidding of the “high command” or Ms Sasikala, who was jailed in Bengaluru on Wednesday to serve four years for corruption, putting end to her bid for chief minister. Ms Sasikala has chosen her loyalist Mr Palanisamy in her place to ensure she keeps control of the party and government from jail.
Both camps have offered to take a trust vote and presented the Governor with a list of legislators supporting them.
