The fort of AIADMK (Sasikala camp) appeared to start melting with Lok Sabha MP R. Gopalakrishnan, Madurai South MLA S. Saravanan and a councillor, Kannagi Baskaran, coming out openly in support of O. Paneerselvam.
While the MP and the MLA were in Chennai, the councillor announced her intention around noon.
From then on, within an hour, huge posters, released in the name of Minister Sellur K. Raju (a Sasikala supporter), condemning Mr. Paneerselvam were found in many walls. The posters condemned the Chief Minister for seeking a probe into Jayalalithaa’s death.
When contacted for his comments as the posters had his name, Mr. Sellur Raju told The Hindu over phone that some party cadre might have done it out of loyalty to ‘Amma.’
Meanwhile, Ms. Kannagi Baskaran said that she took the decision to support Mr. Paneerselvam as he was the obvious choice of late Amma (Jayalalithaa) to lead the party.
Speaking over phone, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said that he was happy to be associated with Mr. Paneerselvam. “History repeats in the AIADMK. What was experienced by the party founder late MGR is happening now. If let out, all the elected representatives from Madurai would support Mr. Paneerselvam only,” he added.
Police deployed
Police security was provided for the residences of seven MLAs and an MP of the ruling party in the city on Monday night. According to police sources, police personnel will be deployed in all important places in the early hours of Tuesday.
