The path they crossed had been full of “hurdles and betrayals”, she had added.
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In sharp contrast, there was no such moral indignation when Janaki Ramachandran succeeded MGR as chief minister in 1988, following his demise, or even when the heroine in many of his films, Jayalalitha, took charge as CM in 1991.
Sasikala, a shadow of Jayalalithaa for almost three decades, is set to become the chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as the AIADMK Legislature Party yesterday elected her as its leader, over a month after she became the party’s powerful General Secretary.
The PILs have been filed challenging her elevation as the chief minister, since “she has not been the general secretary for a continuous period of five years”, as mandated by the party’s constitution.
“I had already extended my support”. I will not be cowed down by anything. “We welcome him”, he said. “I was flooded with phone calls from voters of my constituency to take a good decision”, she said. “She has furnished the names of MLAs supporting her”. Rajya Sabha member Maitreyan asserts that this step of hers hint at her lack of confidence in retaining her MLAs.
The Governor, the sources said, is also of the firm belief that there was no administrative vacuum in the State since the incumbent Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has been asked to continue consequent to his resignation till alternative arrangements are made.
Sasikala returned to Chennai in the night without interacting with journalists.
Panneerselvam at present also enjoys the support of seven MLAs, including him.
By late evening, there were unconfirmed reports that because of the delay in the swearing in of Sasikala, her faction may meet soon and elect either Edappady Palanisamy or Sengottaiyan as leader of the Legislature Party.
On the other hand, Sasikala was seen as power hungry as she did not waste any time to take over the party as well as the government.
Sasikala went to jail with Jayalalitha when both were convicted in a slew of corruption cases between 1996 and 2014. The court is expected to pronounce its verdict on the Karnataka government’s appeal next week.
He had also accused Sasikala of not allowing him to meet the late Chief Minister when she was hospitalised for over 70 days. Only then will he be invited to form his government.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has been put under high alert after the intelligence warned about possible trouble.
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The Chennai police began rounding up suspicious elements staying in lodges and hotels in the city. Delaying tactics is an attempt to create divisions in the party. We were waiting patiently till for a reply from the Governor. “Beyond that we will do what is necessary”, she said, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
