Former AIADMK district secretary and Coimbatore Mayor P. Rajkumar on Thursday extended support to Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. Addressing reporters in Gandhipuram, he said that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had twice handed over the State administration only to Mr. Panneerselvam. Even when she was in the hospital, he held her portfolios.
It was therefore natural for him to head the State administration. After he became the Chief Minister for the third time after Jayalalithaa's demise, he had efficiently run the Government - be it the jallikattu issue or approaching Andhra Pradesh government for water.
Besides, he said he was unhappy with the way the interim general secretary of the party, V.K. Sasikala, had treated the Chief Minister. She did not enjoy people's support and it would be evident from any leader who had chosen to side with her.
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Therefore, he had decided to join Mr. Panneerselvam, Mr. Rajkumar said and added that many ward, zonal secretaries and other leaders were with him. They would come out in the open soon.