Sasikala vs Panneerselvam: Governor Vidyasagar Rao bides time in Mumbai as he takes legal advice on TN drama

In the midst of the ongoing leadership crisis in Tamil Nadu between AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala, staking their claim on the chief ministerial chair, Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasagar Rao, who also serves as Maharashtra governor, is unlikely to visit the state in the next couple of days, claim sources. While the administration in Chennai awaits the Governor for Sasikala’s inaugural ceremony, the state head is attending a convocation ceremony at Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai on Wednesday and hence is unlikely to reach Tamil Nadu by Thursday. Sources add that he is taking legal advice before the appointment of Sasikala as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu. [caption id=“attachment_3272810” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  C Vidyasagar Rao. CNN News 18[/caption] Major political developments in the state have occurred in the state in the past few days. On Wednesday night Panneerselvam announced that he was forced to resign from the post of chief minister and that he would be willing to step up if people want him to. Earlier this week, on Sunday, Sasikala was voted unanimously as the leader of legislative assembly. Panneerselvam tendered his resignation from the chief minister’s post on the same day which was later accepted by the Governor on Monday. While Rao accepted his resignation, he asked him to continue till further development, said sources. But Tuesday night’s events have raised legal concerns for the Governor. The outgoing chief minister visited late J Jayalalithaa’s memorial and sat for an hour, after which he publicly revolted against AIADMK chief Sasikala. The prospects of Sasikala’s immediate swearing-in as chief minister is now in the hands of the Governor. On Monday, the Governor was in Coimbatore for a function but didn’t visit Chennai, and instead flew to Delhi, say sources. Rao reached Mumbai on Tuesday night. Reports suggest that he was seeking legal advice before administering the oath of office to Sasikala. More than two days have passed since Sasikala was elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party clearing the decks for her elevation as the chief minister, but she is still to receive a call from the Rajbhavan. The state machinery started making preparations for Sasikala’s swearing-in at the centenary auditorium of University of Madras, but there is still no word from the Governor on the date and time of the ceremony.