Amid ongoing uproar over Sasikala Natarajan’s elevation, acting Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam on February 8 addressed a press conference just a day after being sacked as the AIADMK treasurer. He has claimed that he was forced to resign as TN CM. However, Sasikala refuted allegations and said that she had not forced Panneerselvam to resign and what he was saying was absolutely “incorrect”.
Here’s what he said:
11:10 AM: Will accept Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deepa’s support if offered.
11:08 AM: Sitting judge to probe the death of the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa
11:06 AM: Sasikala Natarajan to remain the interim General secretary of AIADMK.
10:57 AM: Will meet Tamil Nadu people, in each and every city to make my point. Union Govt supporting Tamil people. Whoever extends support to Tamil people, we will accept it.
10:55 AM: Openly challenging Sasikala, Panneerselvam said he will prove his majority in the assembly.
10: 54 AM: It is the duty of the state government to launch an enquiry into the questions raised about the death of Jayalalithaa.
10: 52 AM: There has been no instance where I have betrayed my party, while remaining in power or opposition.
10: 50 AM: Will withdraw my resignation if the party cadres ask me to.
10:49 AM: Amma remained CM for nearly 16 yrs, I happened to become CM twice, all this was the wish of Amma. Always followed Amma’s path. She wanted me to be CM.
Sasikala has also hinted to remove Panneerselvelam from the other posts and also take away the AIADMK membership. Sasikala has also alleged that Panneerselvam is joining hands with the opposition parties. “No confusion or problem in our party, we are united like a family,” Sasikala said.
Joining a number of people who claimed that they were not allowed to meet former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam revealed that he was not allowed to meet Amma despite visiting Jayalalithaa regularly at the hospital. Clearing air about speculations of him joining other party Panneerselvam said that he had no plans to join any other party and that he had served AIADMK with utmost loyalty.
