O Panneerselvam on Saturday got a boost, with an MLA and four MPs of AIADMK joining him after deserting VK Sasikala who threatened to hold protest tomorrow while targeting Governor Vidyasagar Rao for the delay in swearing her in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala, the AIADMK General Secretary who met the legislators supporting her at a retreat near Chennai, said on Saturday night that the delay by the Governor in inviting her to form the government appeared to “facilitate split in our party.” Earlier in the day, she wrote to the Governor, asking him to take steps immediately to swear her in at the earliest. She said she was ready to parade the party MLAs supporting her before him. Her outburst came as MLA and School Education Minister K Pandiarajan and four MPs – P R Sundaram, K Ashok Kumar, V Sathyabama and Vanaroja – switched over to the Chief Minister’s camp, pledging their support to him amid mounting pressure from the party cadres and apparent public sentiment. Party veteran C Ponnaiyan, party spokesman and minister in the MGR Cabinet, also drove to Panneerselvam’s residence and offered his support. After these switchovers, Panneerselvam camp now has seven MLAs, including him. In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, AIADMK has 135 MLAs. A former minister MM Rajendra Prasad also joined the Chief Minister’s camp. Rattled by the desertions, Sasikala, who has been elected the Leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party on 5 February, drove to the luxury resort, 100 km from here, in an attempt to prevent the MLAs who have been put up there for the last three days from switching sides. KA Sengottaiyan, who was appointed the presidium chairman after the removal of Madhusudhanan, told reporters after Sasikala’s meeting with the MLAs that all of them have taken a pledge that they will back her to the hilt till she becomes Chief Minister.  As the Governor remained indecisive even 48 hours after she staked claim to form the government, Sasikala tonight said, “We waited till today. Tomorrow, we will protest in another form.” However, she did not elaborate what she meant by protesting in “another form.” Referring to the “delay” by the Governor in inviting her to form the government, Sasikala said it appeared “if such delay was happening to facilitate split in our party.” Earlier, speaking to reporters here after returning from a resort where she held a meeting with her party legislators, she said she met all the legislators and they are “all fine”. She said she had the satisfaction of meeting “AIADMK family members.” Asked if her party was contemplating any legal steps on the matter, Sasikala responded, “Please wait and see.” Meeting partymen at her residence, Sasikala also gave a veiled warning over the “delay” in being sworn in and said, “we are being patient because of our belief in fairness and trust in democracy. But we can be patient only to a limit but beyond that we will decide what we will do.” Sasikala also wrote a letter to Governor Vidyasagar Rao earlier in the day, asking him to take steps immediately to swear her in at the earliest. She said she was ready to parade the party MLAs supporting her before him. She told him she had on Thursday submitted an “elaborate presentation to invite me to form the government as I have absolute majority,” besides the original letter and true copy of the resolution electing her as the AIADMK Legislature party leader. Sasikala said she believed that the Governor would “act immediately to save the sovereignty of the Constitution, democracy and the interest” of Tamil Nadu. Sundaram and Ashok Kumar, Lok Sabha members from Namakkal and Krishnagiri, respectively extended their support to Panneerselvam, who has raised a banner of revolt against Sasikala. Later in the evening, Sathyabama and Vanaroja, representing Tiruppur and Tiruvannamalai constituencies in the Lok Sabha, also came out in support of Panneerselvam, saying he enjoys the support of the people. Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan has already extended support to Panneerselvam. Sathyabama, in a veiled attack on Sasikala, said, “A priest, though venerable, cannot become God, and similarly nobody can become Amma.” She accused Sasikala of favouring those who were “rejected” by late Jayalalithaa. “Today, those were rejected by Amma are holding big positions there (Sasikala group),” Satyabama said, flanked by Panneerselvam and other leaders of his faction. She said Panneerselvam would “continue in office” and fulfil all the schemes that were envisioned by Amma for the people. “People’s support is there. I was flooded with phone calls from voters of my constituency to take a good decision,” she said. People consider only late Jayalalithaa as “Amma,” she said and added that it will be Panneerselvam who will be able to take forward her work. She also voiced Pannerselvam’s choice phrase of “dharma will triumph.” Attacking Sasikala, Maitreyan said attempts were being made to create law and order problems in Tamil Nadu and urged the Union Home Minister to take steps to ensure peace. Ponnaiyan, who switched over from Sasikala camp, told the cadres, “The leadership of the party and government should be in good hands and that is Panneerselvam who was trusted thrice by Jayalalithaa to be Chief Minister. All of us should work towards this goal.” With inputs from PTI Follow all the live updates here
AIADMK Crisis Day 7 LIVE: Sasikala to move out of Poes Garden, will stay with MLAs at Golden Bay Resort
AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala was formally made the party legislative party chief on Sunday, paving way for her to be sworn in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
 "AIADMK Crisis Day 7 LIVE: Sasikala to move out of Poes Garden, will stay with MLAs at Golden Bay Resort")
PINNED POST: Key highlights from Day 7 on AIADMK crisis
> SC verdict to decide Sasikala’s political course on Tuesday
> Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi advises floor test
> Sasikala visits ‘detained’ MLAs, will stay with them
> Swamy says Governor under ‘compulsion to cause delay’
>Two more Sasikala supporters join Panneerselvam
#TamilNadu: AIADMK Presidium Chairman E Madhusudanan removes #VKSasikala from primary membership of the party
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2017
#TamilNadu: AIADMK Presidium Chairman E Madhusudanan removes #VKSasikala from primary membership of the party
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2017
AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for oath ceremony
Chennai: AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony. pic.twitter.com/PXY5mBAUqK
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2017
31 MLAs including Palaniswami to be sworn in today at 4.30
Edappadi Palaniswami to manage 18 portfolios including Public Works, Highways and Ports that he was managing earlier. Here are all the names and the respective ministeries they will be managing in the new Palaniswami ministry:
| Name | Designation |
| K Palaniswami | Chief Minister |
| C Sreenivasan | Minister of Forests |
| KA Sengottaiyan | Minister for School Education & Sports and Youth Welfare |
| K Raju | Minister for Cooperation |
| P Thangamani | Ministry for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise |
| SP Velumani | Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development, Implementation of Special Programme |
| D Jayakumar | Minister for Fisheries |
| CV Shanmugam | Minister for Law, Courts and Prisons |
| KP Anbalagan | Minister for Higher Education |
| V Saroja | Minister for Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme |
| MC Sampath | Minister for Industries |
| KC Karuppanan | Minister for Environment |
| R Kamaraj | Minister for Food & Civil Supplies |
| OS Manjan | Minister for Handlooms and Textiles |
| K Radhakrishnan | Minister for Housing and Urban Development |
| Dr C Vijaya Baskar | Minister for Health and Family Welfare |
| R Doraikkantu | Minister for Agriculture |
| Kadambur Raju | Minister for Information and Publicity |
| RB Udhaykumar | Minister for Revenue |
| N Natarajan | Minister for Tourism |
| KC Veeramani | Minister for Commercial Taxes |
| KT Rajenthra Bhalaji | Minister for Milk and Dairy Development |
| P Benjamin | Minister for Rural Industries |
| Dr Nilofer Kafeel | Minister for Labour |
| MR Vijayabaskar | Minister for Transport |
| M Manikandan | Minister for Information Technology |
| VM Rajalakshmi | Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare |
| G Baskaran | Minister for Khadi and Village Industries Board |
| S Ramachandran | Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments |
| S Valarmathi | Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare |
| P Balakrishna Reddy | Minister for Animal Husbandry |
Rowdies rounded up in Tamil Nadu as political crisis extends for seventh day
In the backdrop of the tension prevailing in Tamil Nadu due to the ongoing political turmoil, the police has intensified its combing operations, arresting around 500 people across the state who might create law and order problems.
Chennai tops the list of most number of men arrested across the state with a total of 105 arrests, followed by 53 in Dindugul_, 48 in Ramanathapuram, 35 in Sivagangai 31 in Virudhunagar and 24 in Namakkal. The police department has also tightened up security in prime locations of the city. As part of the precautionary measures, the police has been arresting repeated offenders and individuals with warrant recall._
A police official said that the operations are being conducted for the past few days. “And this will continue till a stable government is formed in the State,” the official said. “We have also been checking rented houses so as to prevent mass congregating of people anywhere inside the city.”
— News Today
Security breach at Karunanidhi’s residence | ANI
There was a security breach at Mr. Karunanidhi's house, a masked man entered house and pointed gun at his wife:Paranthaman,DMK pic.twitter.com/oP1fcoIbLc
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
MLA Saravanan and MP R Gopalakrishnan extend support to Pannerselvam | ANI
AIADMK's South Madurai MLA Saravanan and MP from Madurai R Gopalakrishnan extend support to #Paneerselvam pic.twitter.com/31c6AG3dxA
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Everything will be good for me: Sasikala on DA case | ANI
Everything will be good for me: #VKSasikala on tomorrow's DA case verdict in Supreme Court
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
I want Amma’s legacy and vision to be carried forward: Sasikala
‘Justice will prevail. Dharma will win. I want Amma’s legacy and vision to be carried forward. Everybody can watch what we do as a party under my leadership," she said while addressing the media and a gathering of her supporters at the Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur.
Sasikala to move out of Poes Garden, will stay with MLAs at Golden Bay Resort
In another turn of events in the ongoing political crisis in Tamil Nadu, Sasikala said that she is going to move out of the Poes Garden residence and stay with the MLAs, who are allegedly being held captive at the Golden Bay Resort by her.
“People are making allegations against me. I have decided to stay back at this resort with the MLAs. Let anybody who wants to leave, leave. I have decided to move out of Poes Garden and live with the MLAs at the resort,” she said.
Sasikala also added that the final decision rests with the governor, adding that peace is paramount for the party. “MLAs living at the resort are being threatened, especially the women. The final decision rests with the governor. But what we want is that peace should be maintained. I have asked all party cadre to ensure calm. Let them protest, but nobody will resort to violence,” she added.
#VKSasikala breaks down while addressing the party MLAs at Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/i8X3PpHwfu
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Jayalalithaa beat the odds and emerged stronger after MGR: Sasikala at Golden Bay Resort
‘Jayalalithaa beat the odds and emerged stronger after MGR. In male-dominated Tamil Nadu politics, she was a woman who rose to the top," Sasikala said in an emotional interaction with her supporters at Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur.
“Amma resides in the hearts of every individual of Tamil Nadu. (cries) I visited people in their homes, and all of them had Jayalalithaa’s photos in their houses. They told me they are with me as I have been with Amma throughout,” she added.
Taking a jibe at O Panneerselvam and his supporters, who claimed that she has held hostage MLAs, Sasikala said, “Panneerselvam is saying I have locked up 129 MLAs. Are they cattle to be locked up like this? We are all like one family.”
SC to pronounce verdict in DA case at 10.30 am on Tuesday
The Supreme Court of India will pronounce its verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala on Tuesday morning at 10.30 am. If convicted, Sasikala wouldn’t be able to become Tamil Nadu chief minister.
Verdict on DA case to be out tomorrow at 10.30 am in SC | ANI
Verdict in #VKSasikala DA case to be out tomorrow at 10.30 am in Supreme Court
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
DMK not supporting any faction: MK Stalin | ANI
We are not supporting any faction, AIADMK is our opponent and we oppose them as a whole: MK Stalin
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Won’t comment on the DA case until verdict is out: MK Stalin | ANI
We will only comment on the DA case once it is out, can't comment right now: MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/07NbTvQrxP
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Guv must help form stable government, says MK Stalin citing stagnating work on farmers suicides, drought | ANI
Governor should immediately take steps to establish a stable Govt in the state: MK Stalin
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Sasikala reaches Golden Bay Resort | ANI
#VKSasikala reaches resort in Kovathur where AIADMK MLAs are lodged #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/079Qdz6wO2
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Attorney General advises Governor to conduct floor test | CNN-News18
According to CNN-News18, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has advised Governor Vidyasagar Rao to conduct floor test at the earliest. He advised Rao to convene an emergency Assembly session for the same as well.
However, senior BJP Leader, Subramanian Swamy called it unconstitutional. He reiterated AG’s suggestion to what happened in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh and told CNN-News18 that the constitutional method would be to have Sasikala sworn-in as chief minister and then pass a resolution after a week to let O Panneerselvam camp prove their majority in the house.
DMK meeting in progress | ANI
DMK strategy meeting at party headquarter in Chennai pic.twitter.com/45Koa4uSU9
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Verdict on disproportionate assets case likely tomorrow | NDTV
The Supreme is likely to give its verdict on the disproportionate case involving AIADMK general secretary and others, NDTV said.
The outcome of the case is likely to decide the course of Sasikala’s political career who is involved in a bitter battle with acting chief minister O Panneerselvam on control of the party and for the position of chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
If found guilty, Sasikala will have give up her dream of becoming the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
We will continue our peaceful protest for formation of Government: AIADMK | ANI
We will continue our peaceful protest for formation of Government: AIADMK
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
DA Case is not causing delay in forming govt: Sasikala | ANI
No, I don't think so: #VKSasikala on being asked if the delay in forming Government is because of pending DA case verdict pic.twitter.com/RhONxUSHto
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
DMK treasurer MK Stalin reaches party HQ for strategy meeting | ANI
DMK treasurer MK Stalin reaches party HQ in Chennai for strategy meeting pic.twitter.com/thlb01NM3B
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
MLAs supporting Sasikala allowed to meet families | Times of India
While reports have emerged of Tamil Nadu MLAs being held at the Golden Bay Resort against their will, a Times of India report stated that the MLAs supporting Sasikala are being allowed to meet their families. The report, said, “A few of them went out of the resort to visit their family members, who reached a location near the resort. A few MLAs were (also) permitted to invite their family members for a brief stay in the resort.”
Sasikala heads to Golden Bay resort again
#VKSasikala meets people en route to Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/F2KSEfDYXJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Video showing MLAs dancing at resort surfaces
Mohan Guruswamy posts video of an AIADMK MLA ’enjoying himself’ at the Golden Bay resort. The video has been attributed to senior journalist George Thomas, although the veracity of the video hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Rijiju says Centre won’t intervene in Tamil Nadu issue
The central government will not interfere in the political developments in Tamil Nadu as it is an internal matter of the state, said Union minister Kiren Rijiju. “This is an internal matter of AIADMK. There is no question of the central government intervening as we have no locus standi,” the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said. Rijiju said the central government will act only if Tamil Nadu goes into a situation where the intervention is required in terms of Constitutional machinery to be maintained. “This is a political matter and in this kind of political situation, the central government cannot intervene,” he said. “It comes under the state affairs. Why should the central government interfere there? There is no reason. The matter is an internal matter between the various groups or the MLAs of the AIADMK,” he said.
Subramanian Swamy says he’s just ‘following the Constitution’
Some Tstupid TV correspondents with proximity to Lutyens politicos are claiming I am supporting Sasikala. I am following the constitution
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 13, 2017
Panneerselvam attends office after a week | Zee News
After a week’s gap, caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam attended office on Monday, Zee News reported. Earlier, Panneerselvam has announced on Sunday that he will visit the Secretariat on Monday. According to reports, he also wished Governor C Vidyasagar Rao a happy birthday.
As Firspost had reported earlier, apart from Panneerselvam, state education minister, K Pandiarajan was also expected to visit his office.
FIR filed against ex-AIADMK MLA Kalairajan for allegedly threatening to ‘chop off’ OPS’s hands | The News Minute
FIR filed against ex-AIADMK MLA Kalairajan for allegedly threatening to 'chop off' OPS's hands https://t.co/FtP2c1fILy pic.twitter.com/Lyn3sc8ShR
— TheNewsMinute (@thenewsminute) February 13, 2017
Jayalalithaa didn’t want to enter politics, claims Sasikala at Poes Garden
While Jayalalithaa voters in Tamil Nadu are still wrapping their heads around the curious sight of Sasikala and her brood on board the vehicle that held Jaya’s body before her burial. Sasikala wants to rewind 30 years to MGR’s final journey, which launched Jayalalithaa as the rebel.
Speaking in front of a tightly shut door of Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence, Sasikala was hugging Jayalalithaa’s enigma tightly and trying desperately to evoke some memories that may help turn on the people’s sympathy towards her as the suffering loyalist.
Dabbing her forehead often with a handkerchief and lurching wildly between scolding DMK and O Panneerselvam for exchanging smiles in the state Assembly, to illuminating her supporters about Sasikala, the political strategist from three decades ago, her speech at Poes Garden must rank as the most bizarre claims in the last week since she made known her desire to “capture” the Secretariat. Sample this: “When MGR died, Akka ( elder sister Jayalalithaa) said she didn’t want to join politics. She said enough of all this. I told her she should do it for MGR. Slowly, I grew her interest in politics.”
Since Jayalalithaa is 10 feet below the Marina sands and Sasikala is inside Poes Garden, there’s no telling what’s next. Sasikala certainly holds the IP for all her post-Jaya claims. She thinks Tamil Nadu voters will pick the bait, after so many years of being subjected to radio silence. Tough luck.
AIADMK rule will continue for next 4 years: Sasikala at Poes Garden | CNN-News18
AIADMK rule will continue for next 4 years; I will put a photo of Amma in the Assembly: Sasikala
— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 13, 2017
Betrayer Panneerselvam is showing his true colour: Sasikala at Poes Garden
Betrayer #Panneerselvam's true colours can be seen now: #VKSasikala addressing supporters gathered outside Poes Garden residence in Chennai pic.twitter.com/jqRWyjlG6d
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Sasikala addresses supporters at Poes Garden
#VKSasikala addressing supporters gathered outside Poes Garden residence, says attempts to divide AIADMK will not succeed #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/pcdDIRtaFW
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
Exclusive: TN Cong president Thirunavukkarasar dismisses talk of supporting either Sasikala or OPS
In a freewheeling interview with Firstpost, S Thirunavukkarasar, president for Tamil Nadu Congress justifies the sequestering of the MLAs by Sasikala, accuses the BJP of creating confusion in the state and clears the air on whether talks were on with Sasikala’s camp for the support of eight Congress MLAs.
Read the transcript here or watch the full interview.
We have seen 1000 such Panneerselvams: Sasikala
We have seen 1000 such 'Panneerselvams'. For the past 33 years, we both have seen everything. So I am not scared: #VKSasikala pic.twitter.com/Pp0Rjn9jna
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
#Panneerselvam asked me to take charge then, but I said I can't at this juncture. So #Panneerselvam was given responsibility: #VKSasikala pic.twitter.com/acfiksoaxJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2017
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