Chennai/New Delhi: An embattled Sasikala on Monday, who had staked claim to form the government on February 9, met over 100 AIADMK MLAs lodged at a resort on Chennai’s outskirts for the third time in as many days.
Sasikala, also the party general secretary, has been struggling to keep the flock of 129 MLAs supporting her together after six of them switched over to Panneerselvam camp. Eleven MPs are also backing Panneerselvam. Tamil Nadu has a 234-member Assembly.
Amid the continuing tug-of-war between the two factions, Sasikala said she got Panneerselvam removed as Chief Minister as he had “hobnobbed” with rival DMK and not declined support when offered by a leader.
“It was Panneerselvam who pushed us to do that, we did not do it on our own, and this is what happened. I would have allowed him (to continue in his post) as I did not aspire for being the CM and that is the truth,” she told party workers at Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence.
Mr Panneerselvam had last Tuesday alleged he was coerced into resigning as Chief Minister by Sasikala and her supporters.
