Chennai: As the power tussle in Tamil Nadu intensifies between of AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala and O Panneerselvam, all eyes are now on Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, who met O Panneerselvam at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Thursday evening.
After the meeting which lasted fifteen minutes, OPS thanked all the MPs and MLAs who supported him. “With Amma's blessings and wishes, I met the governor with top leaders including Madhusudhan, and explained to him the situation,” Panneerselvam said. “Truth will prevail. Good news will come soon,” Panneerselvam said.
Panneerselvam reportedly explained his charge that he was “forced and compelled” into tendering his resignation to the Governor.
The Governor, sources say, has decided to wait till the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the appeal filed by the Karnataka government against the acquittal of Sasikala and others in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case.
Sources say the Governor may look into the allegations by the outgoing chief minister that he was forced into resigning. The Governor, a political veteran who had his humble beginnings in the RSS and had worked with veterans like former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, is unlikely to rush into any decision.
Eminent jurist Soli S Sorabjee had opined that Governor Rao should defer the swearing-in ceremony till the verdict.
If needed, the Governor will also consult legal experts here on the options before him. Another view is that the Governor should wait for the fight within the ruling party to recede and then call the leader who commands majority to form government.
While Panneerselvam has declared he could prove majority on the floor of the House, Sasikala says she can be sworn-in as chief minister since she enjoys majority in the AIADMK Legislature Party.
