Panneerselvam's suggestions have not been overruled, he gave consent: K. Pandiarajan

Tamil Nadu Education Minister K. Pandiarajan said Thursday that Tamil Nadu's acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's suggestions had not been overruled and that he had given his consent to all the decisions taken by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) recently.

"AIADMK MLAs are willing to meet the Governor if he wishes to meet as well. We have not overruled any of his suggestions, whatever has been done was after his consent. There were no pressure tactics," Pandiarajan said.

He added that all 135 MLAs have given their letters of consent in support of V. K. Sasikala to be elected as the legislative party leader, including Paneerselvam.

"The elected MLAs and MPs are completely with Chinnamma. Now, if he wants to take a different stand, it is his choice. You cannot keep doing this every 48 hours or 64 hours," Pandiarajan said.

"All the MLAs have been staying at their convenience in hotels and they have not been forced or compelled to do anything," he added.

He further said no one in the party would support a split of the party. "We are very clear and we have a large majority of the intention that our party will not be split up," he added.

Meanwhile, Sasikala will meet Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan at 7:30 p.m. today, and will stake a claim to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, said Pandiarajan.

Ahead of a probable floor test to determine the majority in the House, Sasikala on Wednesday sent all 131 MLAs to an unknown location, fearing horse-trading.

Tamil Nadu politics took a major turbulence when the acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam emerged at the Jayalalithaa Memorial on Marina beach on Tuesday night to reveal that he was forced to resign from his post and that he would fight, until his death, for democracy in the party.

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."

However later in the day, Sasikala accused Panneerselvam 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.