After AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran removed R.B. Udhayakumar and Rajan Chellappa from the party posts on Wednesday, leaders of the erstwhile Panneerselvam camp said since the two factions of the party had merged, it did not matter.
The unified AIADMK is expected to decide on a date for holding a general council meeting to remove V.K. Sasikala from the post of interim general secretary of the party through a resolution.
Here are the updates:
“We want not only a stable govt but a corruption-free one”
BJP not only wants a stable government in Tamil Nadu but a corruption-free one, Union Minister of State Pon Radhakrishnan said on Thursday.
“We want not only a stable government… but a corruption-free government and a fair and just government… The State will prosper only if there is an honest government. It is the responsibility of the AIADMK to provide the same,” he said in Nagercoil.
“We are happy to know that K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam factions have joined hands. But a third faction with 19 MLAs has emerged and they have given a letter to the Governor. It is for the Governor to study the letters and take a decision,” he said. (PTI)
‘Dhinakaran has no intention of becoming CM’
The Dhinakaran camp said he had no intention of becoming the Chief Minister but continued to press for the ouster of incumbent K. Palaniswami and his deputy O. Panneerselvam.
Mr. Dhinakaran’s loyalist P. Vetrivel said that the candidature of any other person, including Speaker P. Dhanapal, for the Chief Minister’s post was agreeable to them. “He [Mr. Dhinakaran] is not even an MLA. He doesn’t desire to be Chief Minister. He is not running the party with any such intentions,” he told reporters outside the residence of Mr. Dhinakaran in Chennai. - PTI
Disqualification of rebels sought
Chief Government Whip S. Rajendran asks the Legislative Assembly Speaker to disqualify the 19 AIADMK MLAs who have withdrawn support to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Read more.
Puducherry police inspect Windflower resort
Puducherry police personnel, headed by Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) Rajiv Ranjan visited the Windflower Resort and Spa in Puducherry where the 19 MLAs have been accomodated.
He said the inspection was to to ensure that law and order was in place and he found no cognisable offense. "We want peace and order. Nobody is above law. I did not interact with the MLAs. The place remains peaceful. We didn't fine any offence," he said.
CM should hold talks with all MLAs, says 'Thoppu' Venkatachalam
Mr. Palaniswami should call and talk with all AIADMK MLAs, says party MLA 'Thoppu' N.D. Venkatachalam
The Chief Minister can also call on and talk with Mr. Dhinakaran, he says at a press meet on Thursday.
MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran at the Windflower Resort and Spa in Puducherry on Thursday.
MLA dares CM, Panneerselvam to prove majority
On the third day of their stay in Windflower Resort on Thursday, the AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to Mr. Dhinakaran took a morning stroll and played seesaw.
Speaking to the media, MLA Thanga Tamilselvan dared Mr. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to prove their majority. "Let them call for a general body meeting of the party and prove the majority. Let them call for a meeting. We will know on whose side the majority is," he said.
Mr. Tamilselvan lamented that the supporters of Mr. Dhinakaran are being shown in bad light by the opposite camp. "We have come here to show our strength and solidarity to Mr. Dhinakaran. We have submitted a memorandum to the Governor requesting the removal of Palaniswami as Chief Minister ," he said.
Mr. Tamilselvan said their only demand was that Mr. Palanisami should be removed from the post of Chief Minister. By accepting the Deputy Chief Minister's post with multiple portfolios, Mr. Panneerselvam seems to be power hungry, he alleged.
Mr. Tamilselvan’s challenge to the government comes days after the remarks by senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member R. Vaithilingam that steps would be taken to remove Sasikala fom the party by convening a general council meeting.
(With inputs from S. Senthalir and PTI)
