Missing governor in the middle of Tamil Nadu political storm
CHENNAI: On a day of rapid developments unfolding in Chennai as ruling AIADMK headed for an imminent split, the one person who made news with his absence was Tamil Nadu governor – C Vidyasagar Rao - said to be in Mumbai attending a convocation ceremony on Wednesday evening.
While a lot hinged on the governor’s arrival here, there was no word from the Raj Bhavan on when the governor was expected to arrive.
On Wednesday afternoon pro-Sasikala MLAs were taken away in buses to undisclosed locations within the city, even as the residence of chief minister O Panneerselvam was brimming with cadres, supporters and some party representatives.
Earlier the day began with O Panneerselvam addressing the media to say that he will withdraw the resignation letter handed over to the governor “if that is what the people willed.” On the other hand AIADMK general secretay VK Sasikala reached the party headquarters in the city and addressed AIADMK MLAs, close to a hundred of them.
“Betrayals have never won. And especially in the AIADMK betrayal has never succeeded. I lived for Amma (J Jayalalithaa) all these days, but I will live to fulfil her dreams from now on,” said V K Sasikala while appealing to her MLAs to remain together.
Although Pannerselvam’s position within the party seemed to have been weakened with Sasikala removing him from the post of AIADMK’s Treasurer and managing to keep a majority of MLA’s on her side, speculations were rife that Panneerselvam was not acting alone and that he had the tacit support of the centre. The BJP dismissed it as baseless.
“These are just rumours, the BJP has nothing to do with the governor’s absence. Although there is nothing unusual about the governor taking some time to consult with legal and constitutional experts in Delhi before arriving in Chennai,” BJP national secretary H Raja told ET.
“So long as BJP is concerned the election of AIADMK leader or the party gen secretary is the party’s internal party affair. That is why even Panneerselvam resigned and Sasikala was elected as legislative party leader we did not make any comment.
But Chief Minister Panneerselvam’s press conference yesterday (Tuesday) alleging that he was compelled to resign has altered the whole situation. We are really shocked that if this is the condition of a sitting chief minister what could be the fate of an ordinary citizen in Tamil Nadu,” Raja added.
Meanwhile, at Thenpannai, where Panneerselvam is embarking on a new journey, raucous hailing of his name by the cadre filled the air. The few hundreds who had collected at the front yard of the CM’s home and waited there all day calling Panneerselvam “Niranthira Mudhalvar” (the permanent CM).
Support for Paneerselvam appeared to trickle from quarters that may not directly help him for a show of strength at the legislature.
Sasikala had by midnight on Tuesday, opened fire at the DMK for instigating the division through Panneerselvam.
While a lot hinged on the governor’s arrival here, there was no word from the Raj Bhavan on when the governor was expected to arrive.
On Wednesday afternoon pro-Sasikala MLAs were taken away in buses to undisclosed locations within the city, even as the residence of chief minister O Panneerselvam was brimming with cadres, supporters and some party representatives.
Earlier the day began with O Panneerselvam addressing the media to say that he will withdraw the resignation letter handed over to the governor “if that is what the people willed.” On the other hand AIADMK general secretay VK Sasikala reached the party headquarters in the city and addressed AIADMK MLAs, close to a hundred of them.
“Betrayals have never won. And especially in the AIADMK betrayal has never succeeded. I lived for Amma (J Jayalalithaa) all these days, but I will live to fulfil her dreams from now on,” said V K Sasikala while appealing to her MLAs to remain together.
Although Pannerselvam’s position within the party seemed to have been weakened with Sasikala removing him from the post of AIADMK’s Treasurer and managing to keep a majority of MLA’s on her side, speculations were rife that Panneerselvam was not acting alone and that he had the tacit support of the centre. The BJP dismissed it as baseless.
“These are just rumours, the BJP has nothing to do with the governor’s absence. Although there is nothing unusual about the governor taking some time to consult with legal and constitutional experts in Delhi before arriving in Chennai,” BJP national secretary H Raja told ET.
“So long as BJP is concerned the election of AIADMK leader or the party gen secretary is the party’s internal party affair. That is why even Panneerselvam resigned and Sasikala was elected as legislative party leader we did not make any comment.
But Chief Minister Panneerselvam’s press conference yesterday (Tuesday) alleging that he was compelled to resign has altered the whole situation. We are really shocked that if this is the condition of a sitting chief minister what could be the fate of an ordinary citizen in Tamil Nadu,” Raja added.
Meanwhile, at Thenpannai, where Panneerselvam is embarking on a new journey, raucous hailing of his name by the cadre filled the air. The few hundreds who had collected at the front yard of the CM’s home and waited there all day calling Panneerselvam “Niranthira Mudhalvar” (the permanent CM).
Support for Paneerselvam appeared to trickle from quarters that may not directly help him for a show of strength at the legislature.
Sasikala had by midnight on Tuesday, opened fire at the DMK for instigating the division through Panneerselvam.
