In a major blow to O Panneerselvam in the ongoing power tussle with VK Sasikala, the latter’s close aide has been invited to form the next government of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao has invited AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palanisamy to form the government in Tamil Nadu at the earliest. He has also requested the Chief Minister-designate to seek the vote of confidence in Assembly in the next 15 days.
AIADMK MLAs supporting Sasikala have hailed decision and raised pro-Sasikala slogans.
Palaniswami had submitted a list of 124 legislators whose support he enjoys, while Paneerselvam has claimed that he has the support of eight MLAs. Panneerselvam and his supporters have also been expelled from the AIADMK.
The governor had earlier refrained from inviting either side to form the government as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court. Sasikala had been picked by the party to be the next chief minister of the state.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Sasikala’s conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of becoming the state’s next chief minister. She has to serve out a prison term of around three years and is ineligible to contest elections for approximately the next 10 years.
(With inputs from PTI)
(Feature image source: Twitter |ANI)