The Dravida Munnetra Kazakham (DMK) has attacked the ruling party in the state, the AIADMK, for the drama that unfolded on Tuesday night and said that the late night developments show there is clear divide in the party.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan also criticised Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasagar Rao for not turning up on time for the swearing-in ceremony of AIADMK supremo VK Sasikala as the chief minister.
“The recent developments show that there is clear divide in the party. Majority of the MLAs are aligning with Sasikala. What can Pannerselvam do if the majority does not support him?” Elangovan told ANI
“That is the prerogative of the governor. Before swearing-in, he has to perform his duties. After accepting the resignation of the incumbent chief minister, he has to necessarily swear-in the next chief minister. I don’t know what’s on his mind. Maybe he is waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision,” he added.
The events in the AIADMK unfolded minutes after Pannerselvam was removed from the post of the party’s treasurer. Sasikala waved and flashed victory sign to her supporters at her Poes Garden residence and said she had not forced Pannerselvam to do anything.
Sasikala held the DMK responsible for the upheaval in their party and said she saw the opposition party leader and Pannerselvam exchanging smiles and warmth in a recent assembly session.
Pannerselvam later tweeted that smiling was not a crime.
Dropping unannounced at the Marina beach, Pannerselvam earlier in the day set tongues wagging by meditating near his predecessor Jayalalithaa’s memorial and then proceeding to criticise Sasikala.
He then said he was forced to step down from his post and pave way for Sasikala, revealing that revenue minister RB Udhayakumar suggested Sasikala take over his post.
He further went on to say that he will even take back his resignation if party workers and the people of the state want him to.
Source: HindustanTimes