The Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala in a disproportionate assets case.
Ms. Sasikala has been ordered to surrender immediately. The quantum of punishment that had been given by the trial court was 4 years imprisonment.
Following this, Edappadi K. Palaniswami was chosen as the AIADMK legislative party leader and O. Panneerselvam was expelled from the party.
Updates:
11.15 p.m.: V.K. Sasikala, upon her arrival at the Poes Garden, addresses the media.
“Please be patient and courageous. Don't be afraid. AIADMK should rule T.N. forever. We have to continue serving the people.
"Anna said you need a hear to bear anything. MGR too said it in his songs. Amma is a lioness.
"Don’t think I am away somewhere, I am in everybody’s heart. Even if I am away, I can run AIADMK from wherever I am.
"AIADMK govt must be installed in Tamil Nadu. So do not fear. There is just one thought of mine — AIADMK should work for the welfare of the people,”
“Please continue to serve people the AIADMK’s way and do not worry for me,” she insists.
11.00 p.m.: Ms. Sasikala arrives at Poes Garden around 11 a.m.
10.20 p.m.: "We will make sure what 'Amma' has left behind is being followed properly," says Deepa addressing presspersons at Mr. Panneerselvam's residence.
9.40 p.m.: "He (Panneerselvam) is seeking justice and I am with him," says Ms. Deepa.
"I and OPS will act as AIADMK's two hands,' she adds extending support to Mr. Panneerselvam.
To a question whether she sees this as her political entry, Ms. Deepa replies "Yes."
9.35 p.m.: V.K. Sasikala leaves Koovathur. She came to Golden Bay Resorts at Koovathur on Monday night.
9.35 p.m.: Both Ms. Deepa and Mr. Jayakumar meet at the memorial. Arrangements are being made for a press meet here.
9.30 p.m.: Deepa Jayakumar also arrives at Jayalalithaa, MGR memorial.
9.10 pm: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam convoy starts from his residence. and heads towards Marina. Senior AIADMK leaders also arrive along with him.
6:10 p.m.: Maitreyan and Manoj Pandian from OPS camp will be meeting the Governor at 7 pm.
6:00 pm: Edappadi Palaniswami has met the Governor and staked claim to form the government. He reportedly handed over the letter of support from 127 MLAs.
5:40 p.m.: Vijaita Singh reports from New Delhi
In his report to MHA, the Tamil Nadu Governor said he took legal advice from 3 people-AG Mukul Rohatgi, advocate Mohan Parasaran and Soli Sorabjee.
While Mr.Rohatgi and Mr Parsaran advised composite floor test, Mr Sorabjee said invite the leader with largest number of MLAs.
5:00 pm: Edappadi Palaniswami reaches Raj Bhavan
4:30 pm: C. Ponnaiyan and K.P. Munusamy, unable to reach the Koovathur resort return to OPS' residence.
Ma Foi Pandiarajan also returns to the Chief Minister's residence.
3:45 p.m.: Meanwhile, Kancheepuram Collector has imposed Section 144 prohibitory orders at Koovathur.
3:40 p.m.: Edapadi Palaniswami will meet Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan at 5:30 pm today.
Twelve MLAs, including Mr. Palaniswami will be meeting the Governor and stake claim to form the government.
3:00 p.m.: We will appeal against the Supreme Court verdict says Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Thambidurai.
2:45 p.m.: Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa hails Supreme Court verdict in Sasikala case
* Verdict was long pending. It is most welcome. Now it is quite clear that those who are behind corruption have been taken to task. Especially, I have always been saying Sasikala could never be accepted primarily because of this case.
*My stance (political stand) will be revealed very soon, on Jayalalithaa's birthday.
*Today we are going to talk about the latest developments about Sasikala going to jail, which is very good for the cadres and people of Tamil Nadu.
*Jayalalithaa has never endorsed or expected these people (Edappadi Palaniswami) to come to power. His election only shows that Sasikala family will go to any extent to install a person of their choice to leadership position.
2:20 p.m.: The AIADMK has expelled O. Panneerselvam, School Education Minister Ma Foi Pandiarajan and 18 other leaders who extended their support to the Chief Minister.
The announcement was made by party's General Secretary V.K. Sasikala.
1:50 p.m.: R. Sujatha reports from Deepa's residence.
A jubiliant Deepa's supporters were seen bursting crackers and celebrating the Supreme Court verdict. Though Ms. Deepa herself has not reacted to the developments yet.
1:30 pm.: Rajya Sabha MP Navaneethakrishnan says Mr. Panneerselvam and his supporters are planning to create law and order problem by planning to visit Koovathur.
We have informed the Governor, DGP, and Home Secretary of the possible law and order problem, he says.
1:15 p.m. : Leaders from OPS camp are travelling to Golden Bay resort to seek support from MLAs, School Education Minister 'Ma Foi' Pandiarajan said.
MLAs are telling us that they want to come and join OPS camp, he says.
1.08 p.m.: The newly-elected legislature party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami speaks:
"I have been elected as the AIADMK's leader of the legislature party. The MLAs elected me unanimously. We have a sent letter to the Governor to stake claim to form the government. We will produce the letter with MLAs signature when Governor invites us."
12: 45 p.m: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam says "the spirit of Jayalalithaa lives on; her good government will continue."
12.31 p.m.: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam says MLAs must take a right decision in the interest of the party, taking into account the Supreme Court verdict and the current situation.
Mood at Koovathur
Our correspondent Udhav Naig from Golden Bay Resorts at Koovathur reports:
11: 50 a.m: Police enter the resort.
11: 20 a.m: AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala apparently addressing the MLAs inside to figure out the future of the party and government.
11: 15 a.m: Police sources say that their first preference will be to ensure exit of MLAs by themselves.
Second will be the mere surrender of Sasikala without organising any convoy procession of MLAs.
11: 15 a.m. : The entire premises of the resort has been taken over by the police.
11: 10 a.m: Swift Action Force and Armed Police personnel enter the resort to secure V.K. Sasikala.
10: 55 a.m: There are only 20 cops near the resort but tight security has been deployed on East Coast Road.
Camp AIADMK
AIADMK party cadres are still strong in their support for Sasikala. They were seen at the AIADMK party headquarters in Chennai.
AIADMK handle tweets in support of Sasikala
"Whenever Amma had to face hardship, it was Sasikala who took it upon herself to do so. Now too, this has happened," tweets AIADMK's official handle.
Celebration at Camp OPS
"Sasikala convicted, Tamil Nadu saved" - the handle was quick to tweet. This is the mood
All eyes on court room no. 6
Our Legal Correspondent Krishnadas Rajagopal captures the mood outside court room no. 6 where the judgment will be pronounced.
Meanwhile, here's the scene at Mr. Panneerselvam's residence.
V.K. Sasikala: From soul sister to party leader
Jayalalithaa had once referred to V.K Sasikala as her “Udanpirava sagodari”, but this friendship had its ups and downs.
A long battle
The disproportionate assets case, on for over two decades now, has been marked by many twists and turns over the years as the accused repeatedly sought legal remedy for various issues.
Here's a timeline of events.
Possible outcomes
The Supreme Court decision in the Disproportionate Assets Case will decide the fate of V.K. Sasikala and in many ways the future of Tamil Nadu politics as well.
Click here to know the various scenarios that can play out in Tuesday's verdict.
Battle for chief ministership
As the battle for chief ministership between O. Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala gets drawn out, all eyes are on Tamil Nadu’s Acting Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.
One of the options for Mr. Rao to end the battle is to convene a floor test and ask the contenders to prove the majority.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly presently has 243 members, after the demise of Jayalalithaa. The Speaker normally does not participate in motions or votes.
Know exactly how a floor test will proceed
Conduct floor test: A-G
Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi on Monday advised Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao to hold a composite floor test in the Assembly. This, Mr. Rohatgi pointed out, would prove who had majority in the power tussle between AIADMK interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala and Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.