Panneerselvam colluded with DMK, will be punished for betrayal: Sasikala

Hitting back at acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam after he said that he would prove his majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Sasikala Natarajan accused the former of colluding with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), while adding that he would not be spared following his "betrayal".

"Our opponents are after us and spearheading whatever is happening today, but nothing can stop us from following Amma's path. Panneerselvam colluded with the party which Amma fought against. I could sense the acts of Chief Minister who completely connived with the opposition. We will give a big blow to the act of betrayal and disloyalty," Sasikala told his party members which was received with rousing reception.

Sasikala said she was initially reluctant to take the responsibility of the Chief Minister as she was struck with grief following former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's death.

"After Amma's demise, the supporters asked me to take the responsibility; I couldn't as I was very sad. But the wrongdoings with which Panneerselvam had done, as the general secretary it became my responsibility to put an end to it," she added.

Sasikala's comments came after Panneerselvam alleged that he was told to quit the Chief Minister's post to protect party's discipline and failure to follow would be a violation of party discipline.

Calling Sasikala as the "temporary general secretary", Panneerselvam earlier today said, "The Council can only appoint a temporary general secretary. Proper elections have to be held to elect a general secretary according to the party bye-laws. People are on my side."

He said he would also seek the support of Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar, saying "I have always had respect for Amma's brother's children. I will give Deepa the respect she needs.

The acting Chief Minister also said he has the support of the AIADMK leaders and would prove his majority in the assembly.