Suggesting that O Panneerselvam did not resign on his own, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala on Monday said the Chief Minister was asked to go because he “hobnobbed” with the party’s arch rival DMK. 

Recalling the circumstances under which he was asked to resign on February 5, she said, Panneerselvam “pushed us to do that and we did not do it on our own. This is what had happened.” 

Speaking to party workers at the Poes Garden residence of late Jayalalithaa, she said, “I would have allowed him, as I did not aspire to become CM and that is the truth.” 

b”AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala along with party’s MLAs supporting her during the press conference at the resort in Koovathur at East Coast Road where various AIADMK MLAs are camping to decide on the further course of action in forming new government, outskirts of Chennai on Sunday. | Source: PTI”

Here is what all she said:

  • “They (DMK) had thought that if possible, let Panneerselvam split up and bring with him some legislators and with 89 MLAs (of DMK), a government could be formed.”
  • “He (Panneerselvam) should have told DMK Deputy Leader in Assembly Duraimurugan that he does not need their support when the AIADMK has a majority. If Panneerselvam had said just that, I would have allowed him to continue and I would not have disturbed him.” 
  • “We decided to take a decision soon and it was Panneerselvam who pushed us to do that and we did not do it on our own and this is what had happened.” 
  • “At that time of grief (after Jayalalithaa’s demise) the office of chief minister did not appear big to me.” 
b’Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam with actor Thiyagu and actor-director Ramarajan addressing Media in Chennai on Sunday. | Source: PTI’
  •  “I could have become Chief Minister if I had wanted when Amma passed away. That thought did not cross my mind for even a second because I wanted Amma’s government to continue.”
  • “Amma was disheartened and showed disinclination towards politics after the turn of events following the demise of party founder M G Ramachandran. It was me who motivated and requested her to continue in her political journey.”
  • “We have seen a thousand Panneerselvams before getting on to this stage and struggles are like dust on my hand and I am not worried.”
  • “What is happening now (the factional feud) may have occurred on the day when Amma passed away and I had fully realised it.”
  • “We will form the government and inaugurate a portrait of Amma in the Assembly.”

(Feature image source: PTI)