BackSasikala vs Panneerselvam: Governor meets state officials, Stalin
As both Sasikala and Panneerselvam slug it out for the Tamil Nadu chief minister's post, M.K. Stalin, working president of the DMK, met the governor and briefed him about the political situation
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Chennai: Amid continuing political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu, Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Friday met state government officials including director general of police T.K. Rajendran and chief secretary Girija Vaidhthyanan to discuss administrative issues.
Meanwhile, senior AIADMK leader E. Madhusudhanan filed a petition with the Election Commission of India (ECI) stating that V.K. Sasikala should not be allowed to continue as AIADMK general secretary. Sasikala said on Friday that Madhusudhanan was removed as AIADMK Presidium chairman, after he supported Panneerselvam.
“She cannot expel me as I have already expelled her from the party," Madhusudhanan said.
ALSO READ | Sasikala sacks AIADMK presidium chairman Madusudanan
Meanwhile, interim chief minister O. Panneerselvam said, “Jayalalithaa would often say that AIADMK will stay strong for hundreds and thousands of years. This party is the property of the cadre of AIADMK and no one can hijack it."
M.K. Stalin, leader of the opposition and working president of the DMK, met the governor and briefed him about the political situation. Stalin also submitted a letter to him.
About news reports that ruling party MLAs were being transported to undisclosed destinations, he said, “Horse trading in any form has to be prevented and all efforts to protect the sanctity of the Anti defection law has to be undertaken."
ALSO READ | SC refuses urgent hearing in plea seeking stay on Sasikala’s swearing in as CM
On Friday, more than 10 MLAs emerged from the ‘Golden Bay Resort’ on the East Coast Road (ECR) where the AIADMK legislators were said to have been made to stay and dismissed allegations of ‘conspiracy’.
A bunch of petitions filed in the Madras high court on Thursday alleged the MLAs had been detained. The petitions were dismissed after the government’s counsel said the legislators are “free to move around".
“Why are we unable to contact the MLAs? Send them out to their constituencies and let the people decide on whom they want to support," said V. C. Arukutti of Kavundampalayam constituency who is supporting the Panneerselvam camp.
ALSO READ | OPS emerges as popular choice as TN CM amid growing anger against Sasikala
Stalin told the governor that the state’s administration was badly affected due to a constitutional impasse created by the ruling party.
“An alternate government according to the norms of the constitution is therefore the need of the hour, as the problems of the people remain either unresolved or inadequately addressed. This affects the progress of the State," said Stalin in the letter.
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