As Sasikala-OPS tussle continues, swearing-in venue wears deserted look

Chennai: In an indication of a further delay in the swearing-in ceremony of the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after VK Sasikala was elected AIADMK Legislature Party Leader, the venue scheduled to host the event currently wears a deserted look with even the police security being withdrawn.

Soon after Sasikala was chosen by the party MLAs to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on February 5, the University of Madras auditorium was being spruced up on a war-footing for her expected swearing-in.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had resigned after Sasikala's election, paving the way for her to take over the top post. However, he later rebelled against Sasikala, leading to a political uncertainty.

Probably, in view of the uncertainty, the heavy police 'bandobast', which was visible for the last few days, was no more there and the premises wore a deserted look.

Even the workers who were decking up the entry points were conspicuous by their absence.

Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao is yet to get back to either Sasikala or Panneerselvam, both of whom had met him separately yesterday, on the future course of action, even as the cloud of political uncertainty hung over the state.

Most of the AIADMK MLAs are huddled at a resort near Mahabalipuram, about 60 kms from here, amidst expectations that they could be summoned in case of a need for Sasikala to prove her strength by parading them before the Governor.

Sasikala had yesterday placed the list of MLAs supporting her at the Jayalalithaa memorial here, before submitting the same to the the Governor during the nearly 40-minute meeting between the two.

Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court had sought the Tamil Nadu government's response to allegations that AIADMK MLAs were being illegally detained in a resort near here and 20 of them were on a hunger strike.

Later, a few of the AIADMK legislators, owing allegiance to Sasikala, claimed outside the resort that they were staying there on their own and there was no restriction on their movement.

Meanwhile, DMK working president MK Stalin urged the Governor to expedite the steps to ensure that governance was in place.

Also, AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi expressed confidence that Sasikala would become the chief minister soon.

"We have submitted our MLAs' support letter (for Sasikala) to the Governor," she told reporters.

Saraswathi also alleged that she was receiving threat calls asking her to support Panneerselvam.