Panneerselvam's camp gets three MPs, one Minister

It was a successful day on Saturday for Tamil Nadu's acting Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam's camp with three sitting Lok Sabha MPs, one state minister, a senior party leader and a former Finance Minister joining him.

On Saturday, three sitting Lok Sabha members - Sathyabama representing Tirupur, Ashok Kumar representing Krishnagiri constituency and Sundaram representing Namakkal - joined his camp.

Tamil Nadu School Education Minister K. Pandiarajan, former Minister and AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan jumped on to Panneerselvam's ship, jolting party General Secretary V.K.Sasikala's camp.

Till Friday, Sathyabama, Pandiarajan, Ponnaiyan, Ashok Kumar and Sundaram were with Sasikala and were defending her in a staunch manner.

Sitting Rajya Sabha member V. Maitreyan was the first MP to join Panneerselvam's group.

The five new joinees to Panneerselvam's camp came a day after AIADMK spokesperson Vaigaichelvan said people joining him are "beyond their expiry date".

Speaking to reporters here, Ashok Kumar said other AIADMK MPs will also start joining hands with the acting Chief Minister.

The AIADMK has 37 members in the Lok Sabha.

Panneerselvam revolted against Sasikala on Tuesday night alleging that he was forced to resign as Chief Minister to pave the way for her to occupy that chair.

As of now seven legislators (including Panneerselvam), three sitting MPs - two Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha, several office bearers, old timers, former legislators and most of the party's grass root workers are in support of Panneerselvam.

According to Maitreyan, more ministers and legislators are likely to join the Panneerselvam camp.

--IANS

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