Ottakarathevar Panneerselvam
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Political career
O. Panneerselvam vs Sasikala
O Panneerselvam revolts against VK Sasikala: 10 points, Feb 8, 2017: The Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
In a dramatic development in Tamil Nadu, ‘caretaker’ chief minister O Panneerselvam dropped a bombshell, saying he was forced to resign and propose All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazakham (AIADMK) General Secretary VK Sasikala's name to the top elected post in the state.
1. O Panneerselvam on Tuesday went to Jayalalithaa memorial+ , meditated for over half an hour. Later, he accused VK Sasikala's camp of pressurising him to step down from the chief minister post. "I am saying these facts in front of you to make things clear in public. I will continue to struggle. I will take back my resignation if people, MLAs want," Panneerselvam had said.
2. Panneerselvam also said Sasikala and her supporters got annoyed with the success of his government on issues like jallikattu protests+ , mitigating of drinking water crisis in Chennai, setting right the damage caused by Vardah cyclone.
3. VK Sasikala soon after the emergency meet with party MLAs, addressed a press conference. She alleged that the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazakham (DMK) was behind O Panneerselvam's revolt+ against her and asserted that all the party MLAs are with her and hence there is "no problem" in her becoming the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
4. Panneerselvam was also removed from the post of party treasurer and would also be removed from AIADMK's primary membership, Sasikala announced.
5. Soon after being removed from the post of AIADMK treasurer by party General Secretary VK Sasikala, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said no one had the right to do so and rubbished her claims that DMK was behind his moves.
6. DMK Working President MK Stalin too extended support for Panneerselvam and said that action should be taken against those who had threatened him to resign from the post of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
7. As soon as Paneerselvam concluded his explosive press conference on Marina Beach, he had already become hero for netizens+ cutting across party lines. Appreciating Paneerselvam's declaration, DMK MLA from Chepauk-Triplicane J Anbazhagan tweeted congratulated him for his bold speech while joint secretary of the AIADMK IT wing Hari Prabhakaran tweeted in support of OPS, saying that he was not afraid of being removed from his post.
8. Sasikala is already waiting for the Supreme Court's verdict in the 20-year-old disproportionate assets case involving late former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa. A positive judgment will solidify Sasikala's standing as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, whereas a conviction will come as a blow to her run to the CM's chair.
9. Panneerselvam is in no mood to surrender as he has again lashed out at VK Sasikala in the last 12 hours. "There have been doubts about Amma's death. An investigation commission headed by a retired judge is needed to look Amma's death as it is the duty of a government to eliminate doubts of people. We will constitute an inquiry committee. The committee will submit its report to the high court, and the report will be made public," he said on Wednesday.
10. Veteran ADMK leader PH Pandian claimed that Sasikala's elevation was against party norms, saying she didn't have the locus standi to either be the party chief or chief minister. "Within 20 days after the demise of Jayalalithaa, party leaders were made to say that they wanted Sasikala to be the party chief and added that it was against party rules. Only cadres can elect the general secretary," Pandian had said.
Panneerselvam spoke up atlast -wondered how any one tolerate so much insult-the only qualification sasikala claim is that she was jayalalitha s ayah- how dignified and wise people of tamilnadu are ... Read More
Radhakrishnan Potekatte P
February 2017/ Change in politcal dynamics in his favour
How O Panneerselvam became a hero overnight, Feb 9, 2017: The Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
The caretaker CM has emerged from the shadows and become a hero of sorts
Political observer Sathyamurthy said the sentiment in favour of OPS wasn’t unexpected
Panneerselvam started trending as a hero on social media
In less than a day, O Panneerselvam has gone from being a compliant deputy to a man who's seized the moment. There may still be questions about who is pulling the strings this time, but there's no doubt that the caretaker chief minister has emerged from the shadows and become a hero+ of sorts.
On Tuesday night, an hour after his outburst, around 300 people gathered at his residence on Greenways Road. They rallied behind Panneerselvam as they felt he was 'Amma's' rightful heir. All of them found a voice in Panneerselvam - of dissent and hope+ .
"I saw OPS speak on television and came here to see him," said S Maheshwari. Policemen, who tried to contain the crowd, gave in and let them inside the bungalow. As the crowd in front of Panneerselvam's bungalow swelled, he stepped out at intervals to greet them. It seemed to work: "Dei, I am at the chief minister's house. He is right next to me!" a boy shouted on his mobile.
Panneerselvam started trending as a hero on social media. While on the ground the public seemed to back him, up the echelons he garnered support that cut across party lines. DMK legislator from Chepauk-Triplicane J Anbazhagan tweeted in favour of the chief minister, congratulating him for his bold speech, while joint secretary of the AIADMK I-T wing Hari Prabhakaran tweeted in support of him. Political observer Sathyamurthy said the sentiment in favour of Panneerselvam+ wasn't unexpected. "Stories around Sasikala are negative, while the little about Panneerselvam has been positive," he said.
Then, there were those who didn't know which side to choose. They poured into the MGR memorial. Emotions ran high as people, including AIADMK party workers, prostrated and stood with their hands folded and heads bowed. Several cried out asking why Jayalalithaa had left them "orphaned", why she hadn't chosen a political heir and how her two aides were "tarnishing her legacy".
"Tell us what to do?" asked a woman, clutching a handful of flowers. "It is over. The state is doomed," said a man next to her.
