Panneerselvam revolts against Sasikala, sends AIADMK into tizzy (Roundup)
Wednesday - February 8, 2017 12:26 am ,
Category : INDIA
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday evening revolted against AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala, saying he was forced to resign as the head of government.
"A lot of people are unhappy over the happenings in the AIADMK," she told the media at her house. "The people of Tamil Nadu are not happy with Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister."
Tracing the events taking place on Sunday, when the meeting of party legislators was called, he said: "I was called to Poes Garden -- the residence of Jayalalithaa -- where Chinnamma (Sasikala) lives. Her family members, senior ministers and party members were also present."
"I was told that Sasikala should be made the Chief Minister, to which I asked the need for that at this point. For around two hours, the issue was deliberated," Panneerselvam said.
"I told them it was a big insult. They held my hand and pleaded to save the party. I wanted to go to Jayalalithaa's memorial to tell her soul that I was resigning. I was not allowed to do that," Panneerselvam alleged.
"I will become Chief Minister again if people and cadres want me," he said.
Panneerselvam said he was denied permission to visit Jayalalithaa's memorial on Sunday before the start of MLAs' meeting.
He said he was compelled to agree to Sasikala's proposal to propose her name for the post of the leader of legislature party.
According to Panneerselvam, two days after he became the Chief Minister, state's Health Minister Vijayabhaskar met him saying that Divakaran -- Sasikala's relative -- wanted Sasikala to be elected as the General Secretary.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister R.B. Udhyakumar told the media that Sasikala should be made the Chief Minister and similar demands were made by others, including Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai, Panneerselvam said.
According to him, when the matter was taken up with Sasikala, there was no proper response.
Soon after Panneerselvam's announcement, senior leaders and ministers rushed to meet Sasikala IANS
"A lot of people are unhappy over the happenings in the AIADMK," she told the media at her house. "The people of Tamil Nadu are not happy with Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister."
Tracing the events taking place on Sunday, when the meeting of party legislators was called, he said: "I was called to Poes Garden -- the residence of Jayalalithaa -- where Chinnamma (Sasikala) lives. Her family members, senior ministers and party members were also present."
"I was told that Sasikala should be made the Chief Minister, to which I asked the need for that at this point. For around two hours, the issue was deliberated," Panneerselvam said.
"I told them it was a big insult. They held my hand and pleaded to save the party. I wanted to go to Jayalalithaa's memorial to tell her soul that I was resigning. I was not allowed to do that," Panneerselvam alleged.
"I will become Chief Minister again if people and cadres want me," he said.
Panneerselvam said he was denied permission to visit Jayalalithaa's memorial on Sunday before the start of MLAs' meeting.
He said he was compelled to agree to Sasikala's proposal to propose her name for the post of the leader of legislature party.
According to Panneerselvam, two days after he became the Chief Minister, state's Health Minister Vijayabhaskar met him saying that Divakaran -- Sasikala's relative -- wanted Sasikala to be elected as the General Secretary.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister R.B. Udhyakumar told the media that Sasikala should be made the Chief Minister and similar demands were made by others, including Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai, Panneerselvam said.
According to him, when the matter was taken up with Sasikala, there was no proper response.
Soon after Panneerselvam's announcement, senior leaders and ministers rushed to meet Sasikala IANS
