Tamil Nadu’s care-taker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has announced an inquiry into the death of late CM J. Jayalalithaa, a day after his revolt against AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala.
Speaking to mediapersons here this morning, Panneerselvam flanked by Kavundampalayam MLA V.C. Aaru Kutty and Rajya Sabha Member Maitreyan, said that he ordered a judicial inquiry as doubts prevailed over her health condition and that the people of Tamil Nadu deserved to be told the truth about her illness and death.
The announcement came within hours of Panneerselvam rebelling against CM-designate Sasikala, when he alleged that certain members of the ruling AIADMK party forced him to resign.
He also said that he would withdraw his resignation, if given an opportunity to do so.
He also claimed that many AIADMK MLAs even from the rival camp would extend their support to him in the Assembly if a need arose.
Stating that there has been no instance where he had betrayed the party, he added that he had always been following Jayalalithaa’s footsteps.
As per party bylaws, Party General Secretary can be elected only by cadres through ballots. Soon a general body should be convened to elect a permanent General Secretary, he observed.
Meanwhile, Party General Secretary Sasikala removed Panneerselvam as AIADMK Treasurer after an Emergency Meeting with Party leaders and Cabinet Ministers. She further said that he would be removed from the party itself.
Hitting back at Sasikala, DMK Working President M.K. Stalin today said his party had nothing to do with the ruling dispensation’s “internal squabbles” and accused the AIADMK Gen. Secretary of making false allegations after failing to become Chief Minister through a “short cut.”
Sasikala had earlier alleged that the main Opposition DMK was behind Panneerselvam’s revolt against her.
Stalin also sought a CBI probe into Panneerselvam’s allegations that he was forced to resign to make way for Sasikala.
This post was published on February 9, 2017 8:10 pm