Chennai, Feb 11: Stones were pelted over media persons on Saturday morning outside the Golden Bay resort near Mahabalipuram where All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party MLAs are lodged. It is been reported that while media personnel have been trying to get access to the resort, alleged AIADMK party workers pelted stones towards them. AIADMK supremo VK Sasikala has been successful in gaining the support of 130 candidates and to avoid lobbying, the candidates on Wednesday were bussed to a secret hotel.
Twelve of the MLAs supporting VK Sasikala’s bid to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu interacted with the media on Friday and stated that they had come to the resort on their own. Speaking on the current situation of the state and questioning the caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Madhusudhanan, MLA Murugumaran questioned that, “It was this same Madhusudhanan who presided over the meeting in which ‘Chinnamma’ was elected on the 5th of this month. It was a unanimous decision. Why did OPS have a change of heart within 48 hours? Who is behind him?” He further said that “Our Ministers are where they want to be of their free will. We are paying for our stay with our own money. There are no restrictions on meeting us.”
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has denied any assessment of the current situation sent to Centre. However, NDTV reported that according to sources, Rao is currently waiting for the Supreme Court verdict in a corruption case against AIADMK before inviting Sasikala to form a government. Governor Rao has gone through multiple court judgements and is studying provisions of the Constitution closely to help him make his decision after Ms Sasikala staked claim to form a government on Thursday with the support, she said, of 129 of her party’s 134 legislators, NDTV reported. (Read Also Panneerselvam vs Sasikala: 8 latest developments)
Addressing the media on Friday, the caretaker Chief Minister said that AIADMK could never run on any individuals direction. “The party was developed as a huge banyan tree. Nobody can hijack it. Even if an attempt is made to do so, we will not let it happen,” he said. “Amma (Jayalalithaa) built the party after MGR with her hard work and dedication. Amma used to say “this movement will continue for hundreds, thousands of years. No one can make this party a family property. Those who want to capture the party and power, it will only be their daydream. Definitely, good things will happen,” the acting CM added.
Panneerselvam on Tuesday made an unscheduled visit to Marina Beach in Chennai and meditated for around 40 minutes at the memorial of late AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. Addressing the media, Panneerselvam said that he was compelled to resign as Chief Minister. “I was forced to step down… Amma’s spirit told me that I should come out and tell the truth to the people. Jayalalithaa told me to take over as CM when she was in the hospital,” he said.
Apart from Panneerselvam’s rebellion, Sasikala also faces a legal hurdle. Supreme Court has announced that the verdict of disproportionate assets case would be released next week. Sasikala is the co-accused in the case, along with late Jayalalithaa. If Chinamma gets convicted, she would be debarred to hold the constitutional office.
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