Wrap-up: The plot thickens and how in Tamil Nadu

There were not many whom late J. Jayalalithaa trusted in her life, personally and politically. V.K. Sasikala, her ‘sister from another mother’ and her eternal replacement in the hour of crisis, O. Panneerselvam were two such exceptions. However, soon after the former AIADMK supremo’s death, the two have come out guns blazing against each other. In the process, the duo have plunged Tamil Nadu into a state of crisis.

Panneerselvam revolts
A day before AIADMK general secretary V.K Sasikala was reportedly set to be sworn in as Chief Minister, O. Pannerselvam went to memorial of J. Jayalalithaa, meditated there for a while, came out and dropped a bombshell against Sasikala. He said that the party had forced him to resign in order to pave way for the elevation of ‘Chinnamma’ as Chief Minister.

Chinnamma strikes back
The morning after the midnight coup, Sasikala struck back at Panneerselvam calling him a “traitor”. “He is a traitor who betrayed the AIADMK. He is backed by the DMK, which wants to destroy the AIADMK. The manner in which Mr Panneerselvam behaved in the Assembly, it seems he is one of them (DMK),” she said in her takedown of his actions.

Money matters
Further trying to corner Sasikala, O. Panneerselvam wrote to two of the banks with which the AIADMK has its party accounts. Mr Panneerselvam on Wednesday wrote to the banks not to allow anyone else to operate AIADMK’s accounts as he continued to be the treasurer of the party. In separate letters to the two banks, located in Mylapore area in Chennai, he said that under the relevant party laws, he continued to be the AIADMK treasurer.

Probe into death
It seemed as if there was no stopping for Mr Panneerselvam from ‘speaking out’. First, he said a probe will be ordered into Jayalalithaa’s death. “A sitting government has the responsibility to clear doubts,” he said, adding that a sitting SC judge will head the inquiry commission. Then, he also said that Jayalalithaa’s home, Veda Nilayam, where Sasikala is currently staying, will be converted into a memorial.

Power play
As the struggle for power within the party was intensifying, Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, who has additional charge as governor of Tamil Nadu, landed in Chennai on Thursday. The two sparring leaders called on the governor. Sasikala is understood to have submitted a list of MLAs supporting her. However, the governor is yet to take a call on the situation.

Feud escalates
Amid continued uncertainty over the swearing-in of Sasikala, the feud in Tamil Nadu’s ruling party escalated on Friday with the chief ministership aspirant sacking party presidium chairman E. Madusudanan, who wrote to the Election Commission not to recognise her as AIADMK chief. Sending a strong message to her detractors, Sasikala sacked Madusudanan from the primary membership of the party, a day after he switched over to the rebel camp led by caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and appointed former minister K.A. Sengottaiyan in his place.