The impasse over the formation of a government in Tamil Nadu continued on Wednesday with Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao maintaining a silence, despite giving a patient hearing to AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Late at night, the Panneerselvam camp indicated that attempts were being made to bring about a reconciliation, and a clearer picture would emerge on Thursday.
On Wednesday though, the two camps were still staking claim to form a government. At 7.30 p.m., Mr. Palaniswami, along with 10 senior leaders and Ministers, went to the Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor.
“The meeting lasted for about 25 minutes. We told the Governor that it was a clear case of majority, and Mr. Palaniswami should be invited to form the government,” said a party senior, who was at the meeting.
“We also told him that Mr. Palaniswami was also popular and known among the people in the State. We asked him to render justice. The Governor did not say anything. He treated us with respect and listened to us,” he said.
Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said, “We informed the Governor that Mr. Palaniswami has been nominated unanimously by the party MLAs. We have confidence that he will uphold democracy. He informed us that he will consider our views.”
“We have 124 MLAs. They [Mr. Panneerselvam’s camp] have only 8 MLAs. Is 8 big or is 124? Think about it,” Mr. Jayakumar said.
At 8.30 p.m., Mr. Panneerselvam met the Governor, along with nine other members from his group. The meeting lasted for nearly 25 minutes.
Senior leaders said they had claimed that they had adequate support to form the government and requested the Governor to invite Mr. Panneerselvam.
( With inputs from T.K.Rohit )
