AIADMK meeting over, MLAs to meet President Pranab Mukherjee

They will urge the President to ask the governor to return and swear-in Sasikala as CM of Tamil Nadu

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) MLAs meeting got over a short while ago, chaired by Sasikala. The MLAs will be meeting President Pranab Mukherjee as the Governor is not present in Chennai.

This is being done to urge the President to direct the Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu Vidyasagar Rao to return and conduct the oath taking ceremony of Sasikala as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Amid drama in the party, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) MLAs meeting started in Chennai on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor's visit to Chennai on Wednesday was cancelled, said Raj Bhavan sources.

After meditating for nearly 40 minutes infront of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai, Tamil Nadu's interim Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that he was forced to resign by AIADMK's General Secretary V K Sasikala, her family members and senior AIADMK members.

He also alleged that he was humiliated several times by his own cabinet and party members, but since he had the responsibility of protecting the government and the party, he controlled himself.

On Sunday, the meeting of MLAs was called but as a leader of the party in the Assembly, Panneerselvam was not informed. Instead, according to Panneerselvam, he was asked to come to Poes Garden, where Sasikala and her family members are staying and was forced to resign from the post.

Sasikala on Tuesday night responded to Panneerselvam's allegation, saying nobody forced him to resign. After suspending Panneerselvam as treasurer of the party, she said that MLAs of the Party continues to be one family and backing her.

Queried whether anybody is trying to stop the Governor from coming to Chennai to conduct her oath taking ceremony said, she responded saying “your thinking is also my thinking”.

With these political developments, AIADMK's MLAs today meeting at the party's headquarters in Chennai.

The meeting started at 11:30 am after Sasikala arrived. Interestingly, her brother Dinakaran also arrived at the AIADMK party office. Dr Venkatesh, nephew of Sasikala also arrived at the party office. 

At least 130 MLAs are present at the meeting, says sources. Rest of the MLAs are expected to join in soon. 

Meanwhile, AIADMK rebel leaders Maitreyan, VC Arukutty, PH Pandian, Paul Manoj Pandian and KP Munuswamy are at O Panneerselvam's residence.