In a last ditch attempt to thwart the efforts of the Sasikala camp to win the vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday, rebel leader and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Friday night appealed to ruling party legislators to act as per their “conscience” on the floor of the House. He sought to remind them that the people had voted for them only because they were led by Jayalalithaa.
“ Amma (Jayalalithaa) gave identity to all of us. She worked tirelessly against family politics in Tamil Nadu, and campaigned for all of us to become MLAs. I request all of you to think independently, and if you are a true loyalist of Amma , vote against the motion (vote of confidence),” Mr. Panneerselvam said, addressing his supporters and MLAs from his residence.
A large number of AIADMK MLAs are still lodged at the Golden Bay resort in Koovathur. It is expected that they will leave the resort only on Saturday morning and arrive directly at the Assembly for the floor test.
Mr. Panneerselvam also asked the MLAs to take the views of their family, friends, relatives and voters before voting. He also claimed that the party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol belonged to their camp.
“The symbol belongs to us, who are supported by the true loyalists of Amma, ” he said.
Tit for tat expulsion
Earlier in the day, E. Madhusudhanan, who was sacked as AIADMK presidium chairman by Sasikala a few days ago, announced that he was removing her from the primary membership of the party.
He also “sacked” newly appointed deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran and Dr. S. Venkatesh from the primary membership of the party.
“Sasikala has gone back on her promise to Jayalalithaa that she will not get involved in politics, the party or governance. She has brought disrepute to the party by being involved in various criminal activities. Hence, she has been removed from the primary membership of the party from today,” Mr. Madhusudhanan said in a letter issued with the AIADMK letterhead.
In another letter, he announced the removal of Mr. Dinakaran and Mr. Venkatesh.
Meanwhile, members of the Panneerselvam camp including former School Education Minister Ma Foi K Pandiarajan met Speaker P. Dhanapal, seeking a secret ballot during the vote of confidence motion on Saturday.
