As the Governor indicates he may wait for the Supreme Court's verdict on the wealth case case, it is a battle of nerves between the rival camps of AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and interim Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
'Ma Foi' Pandiarajan, who holds school education and youth affairs portfolio in the current cabinet, parted ways from the Sasikala camp and joined Mr. Panneerselvam's side. Two Lok Sabha MPs have also extended their support to the chief minister.
Here are the latest updates on the ongoing political crisis in Tamil Nadu:
Tiruvannamalai MP R. Vanaroja extends support to Mr. Panneerselvam. One Minister, 4 MPs come out in support of T.N. Chief Minister
“AIADMK MLAs are strong. Felt like meeting family members when I met them. I think delaying decision (on inviting us to form government) is an attempt to divide the party," says Ms. Sasikala after returning to Poes Garden after a meeting with party MLAs at Kuvathur.
“We will fight in a different manner tomorrow,” she says.
Tiruppur MP V. Sathyabama extends support to Mr. Panneerselvam. “Sasikala has brought all her family members shunned by Jayalalithaa. How can we accept this?” she says.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy meets Tamil Nadu Governor at Raj Bhavan.
Dr. Swamy had said that constitutionally Ms. Sasikala must be sworn in as chief minister since she enjoys the support of majority MLAs.
It is same Dr. Swamy who moved the Supreme Court when the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa, Ms. Sasikala and two others in the disproportionate assets case.
Mr. Panneerselvam's Twitter handle says Rural Industries Minister Benjamin will shortly visit the chief minister and extend his support.
Former MLA K.P. Rajendra Prasad extends support to Mr. Panneerselvam. Mr. Prasad unsuccessfully contested from Padmanabhapuram in 2016 Assembly elections.
Ponnaiyan speaks from Panneerselvam's residence.
"Only Sasikala was able to see Jayalalithaa. None of us were able to meet the chief minister,"he says.
"Only the 1.5 crore cadre can elect the General secretary of AIADMK. No one else can be General Secretary as per party byelaws.
"MLAs are people's representatives
"Mr. Panneerselvam is capable of of running the party with discipline. He is capable to running a corruption-free government."
AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan greets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam at the latter’s residence in Chennai on Saturday. Photo: @CMOTamilNadu
Newly-appointed presidium chairman Sengottaiyan says the MLAs will remain with Ms. Sasikala till the end. "Our only aim is to make her the CM," he tells the media outside the Golden Bay resort.
Ms. Sasikala is yet to leave the resort, while sources said the meeting was over.
At Poes Garden, party spokesperson C.R. Saraswati has condemned Mr. Pandiarajan and Mr. Ponnaiyan for joining the rival camp.
Mr. Pandiarajan had earlier thanked Amma for making him a minister, she said adding "Amma's spirit has shown us who is truly loyal to this party."
Ms. Saraswati also says " Dharmam vellum !"
Ms. Sasikala's discussion with her party MLAs at Kuvathur resort ends. The official Twitter handle of AIADMK says "Respected Chinnamma chaired a meeting with party MLAs on the next set of actions to be taken."
A TV grab of a section of AIADMK MLAs at a meeting with V.K. Sasikala at Kuvathur on Saturday.
The meeting has lasted for over one and a half hours.
AIADMK spokesperson and former Minister C. Ponnaiyan backs Mr. Panneerselvam, reports our correspondent Udhav Naig. The development comes amid Ms. Sasikala’s meeting with MLAs at the Golden Bay Resorts in Kuvathur. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Raj Bhavan amid media reports that Ms. Sasikala may head there with MLAs of her camp.
Heavy police presence at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday.
V.K. Sasikala is holding discussions with party MLAs at the Golden Bay Resorts at Kuvathur, some 80 km from Chennai.
According to AIADMK, 131 MLAs are supporting Ms. Sasikala. However, it is unclear if all of them are at the Golden Bay Resorts.
AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala on her way to meet party MLAs staying at a resort in Kuvathur, near Chennai on Saturday.
Ramanathapuram MP, A. Anwar Raja speaks from Poes Garden.
He says Mr. Pandiarajan is a businessman, not a politician. He is not from the Dravidian movement."
Meanwhile, the newly-elected presidium chairman Sengottaiyan tells a television channel that the Governor has not given an appointment to Ms. Sasikala yet.
In a day of several twists, Ms. Sasikala left Poes Garden and is reportedly heading towards Koovathur in the outskirts of Chennai. Several AIADMK MLAs are staying in a resort in Koovathur.
While the OPS camps says the MLAs are 'locked up' in the resort, Sasikala side claims they are staying there on their own will.
Rajya Sabha MP Maithreyan speaks
Mr. Maithreyan said "Is she threatening governor. Is she planning to create law and order issue in the State?" Mr. Maithreyan requested central government to intervene in this issue.
Ma Foi Pandiarajan speaks:
School Education Minister 'Ma Foi' Pandiarajan arrives at Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's residence in Chennai on Saturday.
"Golden rule of Amma must continue. My loyalty to Amma. There is tremendous support for OPS on the ground.
"We will ensure that the government continues. All MLAs are with us. We need to strengthen the hands of OPS.
"The trickle will soon become a torrent. Soon, all MLAs will support OPS. He was chosen by Amma
"I want to say that I am here because of positive pull by OPS. Not because of any negativity from that side.
"Governor is making his assessment. OPS govt must be chosen as the rightful person to rule."
At Greenways Road, Mr. Panneerselvam addresses the media, welcoming Mr. Pandiarajan. "The 'soul' of Jayalalithaa has sparked off this revolution," he says.
He expresses confidence that more leaders will switch sides and this is 'lakhs of supporters'.
"We are waging a just war. Mr. Pandiarajan's support reflects what the youth of Tamil Nadu are thinking," Mr. Panneerselvam says.
He reiterates his favourite proverb. " Dharmatthin vaazhvudhananai soodhu kavvum, meendum dharmamey vellum. "
In the meanwhile, Ms. Sasikala addressed the media in Poes Garden. "Whoever tries to split the party will fail," she says.
"The late Jayalalithaa has built this party as an 'iron fort' and no one can shatter it," she says.
"We'll be patient only for sometime, after that we will all come together and do what we have to do", says Ms. Sasikala.
'Ma Foi' Pandiarajan arrives at Mr. Panneerselvam house to extend support. I have come here to extend support to 'Annan' OPS because I want the party to be united. Every party MLA is of the same opinion, says Mr. Pandiarajan.
For the first time in three days, Mr. Pandiarajan addresses OPS as Chief Minister.
Ma Foi Pandiarajan coming to O. Panneerselvam's house. Cadres raise slogan hailing Ma Foi Pandiarajan.
Ms. Sasikala has written a letter to Governor Vidyasagar Rao urging him to "act fast taking into account the good of the State."
She also sought an appointment with him to show the MLAs supporting her.
Former minister "Agri" S.S. Krishnamoorthy, while speaking at the Poes Garden, blamed DMK for O. Panneerselvam's rebellion.
The caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam started off a signature campaign to turn Jayalalithaa's 'Veda Nilayam' into a memorial.
Let's take a pledge that Amma's house is converted into a memorial, says AIADMK leader Manoj Pandian.
Entire Advocate wing of AIADMK extends support O. Panneerselvam, says Manoj Pandian
Immanuel Sekaran Peravai extends support to caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. He also accused Ms. Sasikala for Dalit killings. Immanuel Sekaran is well known Dalit icon in South Tamil Nadu.
Jawahirulla, MMK president at a press meet in Thoothukudi said "BJP is manoeuvring and causing political turmoil in ADMK, but its surprising that Sasikala, gen secry of ADMK puts the blame on DMK. Governor should break silence and address media personnel about current political scenario in TN. Based on the test of majority in the floor of assembly CM should be elected. All MLAs should share their views freely over current situation without coercion."
School Education Minister Ma Foi Pandiarajan has extended support to O. Panneerselvam. He had been in the Sasikala camp and had criticised Mr. Panneerselvam earlier for his rebellion.
In a dramatic development, two MPs, Ashok Kumar from Krishnagiri and P.R. Sundaram from Namakkal, on Saturday, extended support to the caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
P.R. Sundaram was one of four MLAs who managed to win the Assembly elections in 1996. Even Jayalalithaa was defeated in that elections.
