Sasikala DA case: Palaniswami is AIADMK legislature party leader, Panneerselvam expelled

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Feb 14 2017: Tamil Nadu minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was nominated the AIADMK legislature party leader and caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam was expelled from the primary membership of the ruling party on Tuesday.

The move came shortly after the Supreme Court convicted VK Sasikala, AIADMK general secretary and leader of the legislature party, in a 21-year-old assets case.

Sasikala has been locked in a bitter turf war with Panneerselvam, who made a dramatic volte-face last week to claim that he was forced to resign as chief minister by a section of party legislators. He had earlier resigned to make way for Sasikala, who was vying for the state’s top job.

Sasikala’s conviction meant that she would have to stay four years in jail and could not contest elections for another six years. The axe on Panneerselvam, who thwarted Sasikala in the AIADMK succession war after Jayalalithaa’s death, is being viewed as an attempt to reinstate one of her loyalists in charge of the party.

Shortly before the AIADMK move, Panneerselvam harped on unity and said: “Let us forget the differences, temporary fight and come together to defeat the Opposition waiting to split the AIADMK.”

And after his expulsion, he said: “Amma’s atma is still around us and will guide us on the right path...Amma’s good governance and people welfare programmes will continue and follow the path of Amma.”

He told people to stay calm and said: “We will form a government without the help of any other party.”

But the indications were clear.

In the AIADMK power struggle, Palaniswami is now being viewed as a front-runner for the CM post. Palanisami, a powerful leader from Salem, has contested and won four elections. He is the minister for highways and ports.