Sasikala vs Panneerselvam: Where are AIADMK MLAs?

CHENNAI: More than 90 AIADMK MLAs have been camping at a beach resort in Koovathur near Mahabalipuram since Wednesday night. They were brought in luxury buses in a bid to prevent them from joining ranks with chief minister O Panneerselvam who has rebelled against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala. Another 30 AIADMK MLAs have been kept in another resort at Poonthandalam near Kalpakkam.

Party workers belonging to the Sasikala camp ensured that the MLAs do not interact with reporters or party members belonging to Panneerselvam's camp.

Sources said the MLAs were not allowed to use mobile phones and television sets in their rooms were disconnected. However, a dozen MLAs have registered their dissent for disconnecting television sets and refused to have lunch.

Her supporters, who had gathered near the resort, prevented journalists from reaching the hotel. Men stopped journalists around 2km away from the hotel. Four ministers - Jayakumar, C Ve Shanmugam, Selvaraj and Senkottaiyan - were seen going into the resort.

When a journalist protested, one of the gang members said: "We have been told to stop journalists."

The men threatened journalists of dire consequences if they attempted to reach the resort.

The only other mud road that leads to the resort was also blocked.