AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu CM-designate VK Sasikala today lashed out at caretaker CM O Panneerselvam terming his revolt an act of betrayal. At an emergent meeting of the party MLAs here, Sasikala said that she ‘will give OPS a big blow to the act of betrayal and disloyalty’.
“Just because he (OPS) has become Chief Minister, he can’t go against wishes of Amma (Jayalalithaa). After Amma's demise, the supporters asked me to take the responsibility. I couldn't as I was very sad,” she said.
Trashing OPS’s charges that he was forced to step down from the post of CM, she said “OPS said that he was pressurised. He was sitting next to me and talking to me. Why is he saying all this lie after 48 hours? What happened in between?”
“Nobody has the power to split or divide us...betrayal has never won,” she added.
Sasikala, also known as 'Chinamma', further accused the opposition DMK for creating a political mess in the state.
“When DMK's Duraimurugan made statements against AIADMK, he (OPS) was silent. I understood that he has one with DMK. It is my duty to prevent this from escalating. Our opponents are after us and spearheading whatever is happening today. But nothing can stop us from following Amma's path,” she said.
“Wrongdoings which Panneerselvam had done, as general secretary it became my responsibility to put an end to it,” the AIADMK supremo added.
Panneerselvam colluded with the party (DMK) which Amma fought against, Sasikala said.
“So long I lived for Amma, henceforth, I shall live for her dream. I wish all those children of Amma who are with me. Let's prove who we are. They can't separate us,” she said.
A meeting at party headquarters was underway under the leadership of Sasikala amidst a political turmoil triggered by the revolt of sacked Treasurer and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
The meeting was called to chalk out the future course of action as a section of leaders, including some MLAs, have already extended support to Panneerselvam. Senior Ministers and party functionaries are participating in the meeting.
Pannerselvam has said that Sasikala has no powers to sack him as Treasurer. He said the General Secretary was elected on a temporary basis in view of the extraordinary situation faced by the party (after Jayalalithaa's demise).
