Panneerselvam returns to office after one week
chennai — Acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneeerselvam and AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala remained on the warpath on Monday amid speculation they will be told to prove their strength in the assembly.
“We have the strength to manage any number of enemies,” a defiant Sasikala, a long-time confidante of the late J. Jayalalithaa, told AIADMK supporters at the former chief minister’s Poes Garden residence.
Her comments came a day before the Supreme Court was set to pronounce its verdict in a case of holding disproportionate assets against Sasikala. If she is convicted, her hopes of becoming the chief minister will be dashed.
The case was filed by the Karnataka government challenging the acquittal of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and two Sasikala relatives by the Karnataka High Court.
‘MLAs held captive’
While the Panneerselvam camp continued to assert that most AIADMK MLAs were held captive by Sasikala at a resort, government counsel told the Madras High Court that the legislators were not illegally detained.
After a week’s gap, Panneerselvam attended office on Monday. He announced Rs300,000 to the family of a murdered girl.
Attorney-General Mukul Rohtagi has reportedly told Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao to call a special session of the assembly and ask Panneerselvam and Sasikala to prove their majority.
According to his supporters, Panneerselvam is expected to discuss with officials the issue of alleged confinement of AIADMK legislators.
An AIADMK leader said on the condition of anonymity that they had proof that some legislators were being forced to stay at the resort, about 90km from here.
Panneerselvam did not attend office since he revolted against Sasikala on February 7, alleging his resignation was forced.
The government posted S. Davidson Devasirvatham as the Inspector General of Police in charge of Intelligence in place of K.N. Sathiyamurthy.
For a third day in running, Sasikala went to meet the legislators backing her at the resort.
Support to thwart takeover
Sasikala supporters went to the AIADMK headquarters in large numbers probably to thwart any takeover by the Panneerselvam camp.
Jaya TV is under Sasikala’s control and beams her speeches. The AIADMK website and Twitter account too are with her.
Ten of the Lok Sabha and two of the Rajya Sabha members of the AIADMK as well as six of the 135 MLAs are siding with Panneerselvam. —