AIADMK MPs are rallying behind party general secretary V.K Sasikala in the succession war that has broken out in Tamil Nadu, following a revolt by Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam.
A. Navanaeethakrishnan, AIADMK floor leader in the Rajya Sabha, told The Hindu that 'Chinamma' (Ms. Sasikala) had the support of all legislators in Tamil Nadu and all parliamentarians were also with her.
“Since 'Chinamma' has unwarranted support of all MLAs, the Governor should not delay the swearing-in ceremony. The budget has to be cleared, drought condition is prevailing, there are other pressing issues also, which require attention,” Mr. Navaneethakrishnan said during an interaction at the Parliament House.
He said the delay by the Governor in appointing Ms. Sasikala as chief minister was “unconstitutional” and “impermissible under law”. Mr. Paneerselvam was a “selfish man,” he alleged.
“On Sunday, when the AIADMK leaders met and chose Ms. Sasikala to lead the party and the State, it was Mr. Paneerselvam who fell down at her feet. He touched her feet in front of everyone. And now he says that he was forced to resign?” Mr. Navaneethakrishnan said.
During zero hour discussions in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Mr. Navaneethakrishnan mentioned the absence of Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao
“The AIADMK MPs also trooped into the well of the House in order to save democracy. The swearing-in ceremony should be conducted today itself,” he said.
Another MP said that Mr. Paneerselvam was acting as a “puppet”, as the DMK has said that it will support him.
The MP, however, refused to blame the Union government for the rebellion by Mr. Paneerselvam. He said that even the late M.G Ramachandran never antagonised the Centre.
“The original plan was to parade the MLAs before the President of India, but when media reports came in that the Governor would be in Chennai, the plan was dropped. Even the Raj Bhavan had no information about the arrival of the Governor, we got to know from media,” the MP said.
The AIADMK has 13 members in the Rajya Sabha (including rebel Sasikala Pushpa) and 37 in the Lok Sabha. On Thursday they were in full attendance.
