Panneerselvam, or OPS as he is called, is working on winning over a few more legislators from the Sasikala camp; just enough to ensure that she does not have the 118 needed for a simple majority in the 235-member Tamil Nadu assembly. Ms Sasikala has about 10 members more than she needs to win the trust vote, which is why she has been pushing for the Governor to let her prove her majority urgently.
The Supreme Court is expected to give verdict tomorrow evening in a corruption case against AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, who hopes to be the next Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The court’s decision will decide Ms Sasikala’s political career –
if the judges confirm a High Court order acquitting her, there will be no legal hurdle in her taking oath as Chief Minister. If it convicts her, Ms Sasikala will be sent to jail and will not be allowed to contest elections for six years.
Governor is reportedly waiting for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on whether Ms Sasikala is guilty of colluding with J Jayalalithaa in the early 90s to acquire an illicit fortune worth about 60 crores. Both women were jailed together in Bengaluru in 2014 for a few months before being acquitted.
The police said in a report to the Madras High Court that there are 119 legislators at the resort and none of them say they being held there by force. The court had asked the police to investigate where two MLAs were based on a petition.
About 128 of the party’s 134 legislators were sent to the resort last Tuesday to prevent their poaching by the rival camp. Panneerselvam has alleged that they have been held “captive” by Ms Sasikala.
