Chennai: A section of officers serving at the secretariat and Chief Minister’s office are upset about reports that Tamil Nadu CM O. Panneerselvam will be asked to resign to pave the way for his party general secretary V.K. Sasikala.
Of late, a few AIADMK ministers and MLAs have been clamouring for the elevation of Ms Sasikala to the coveted post.
“Not even a month had passed since Panneerselvam took charge as the CM. Besides maintaining a low profile, the CM has been doing his duty. An imminent change of guard at the top is the buzz at the secretariat. It’s a hotly discussed subject during lunch and coffee breaks. Many employees talk about the unconfirmed news even during office hours,” said a senior state official at the Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai.
“I extended my New Year greetings to a staffer at the CM’s office this morning, but the response from him was not encouraging. Another staffer, speaking on behalf of employees, said they were all upset with media reports that suggest Panneerselvam is on his way out,” said a section clerk.
According to secretariat sources, some of the clerical staff working in the office of CM were earlier attached to the finance department. After the OPS elevation, the staffers started working along with the existing members of CM’s office.
But if OPS steps down as CM, the staff would return to their previous posts and they are likely to work in the same chamber as the incumbent CM who has converted his office as finance minister into the office handling the portfolios of TN Chief Minister.
