Sasikala surrenders at Bengaluru court after adverse SC order

Appoints relative as deputy general secretary of AIADMK, political drama continues

A day after Supreme Court has upheld the trial court's order convicting them in a disproportionate asset case, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary V K Sasikala and her relative J Ilavarasi today surrendered in front of a Judge at Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru.

She and two of her relatives, according to the Court need to spend around 3.5 years here along with paying a fine. Sasikala sought two days time to surrender as she has to manage her affairs and reportedly gave health reason. However, the Apex Court bench, which gave the verdict on Tuesday, declined and asked her to surrender immediately.

Earlier in the day, AIADMK has announced that Sasikala instated TTV Dinakaran, son of Sasikala's sister Vanithamani, in the party and appointed him as deputy general secretary.

It may be noted in 2011, former chief minister and late AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa dismissed him from the party and kept away from Poes Garden, Jayalalithaa's residence.

Prior to leaving for Bengaluru, Sasikala went to Jayalalithaa's memorial at the Marina Beach in Chennai and paid homage.

She also vowed at the memorial that she would come back thwarting betrayal and lies. En route to Bengaluru she also went to AIADMK founder late M G Ramachandran's house and paid her respects before his picture and also meditated for some time there.

Drama continues in TN politics

On Wednesday evening tension started after over 300 police personnel entered into the private resort, where legislators, who are supporting Sasikala. The development came after a police complaint has been lodged by legislator Saravanan representing Madurai South constituency against Sasikala and Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has been selected as proposed Chief Minister by AIADMK MLAs, for kidnapping him. He joined Panneerselvam's camp on Wednesday.

MLAs have said that they are staying at their own will and said they would vacate the resort once the Tamil Nadu Governor call their leader to form the government.

Palaniswami has also sent a reminder letter to the Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, on Wednesday evening, reiterating his claim to have majority in the Assembly to form the government.

Palaniswami along with 10 senior ministers and Dinakaran met the acting Governor on Tuesday and asked him to invite him to form the Government since he got the backing of majority of the MLAs. Later in the evening, Panneerselvam's camp was represented by Rajya Sabha member Maithreyan met the Governor.

However, till Wednesday evening Raj Bhavan remained silent.