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Signatures of support to Sasikala will be veriefied : Tamil Nadu Governor

by India Blooms News Service 09 Feb 2017, 08:00 pm

Chennai, Feb 10 (IBNS) : VK Sasikala, who on Thursday staked claim to form a Government in Tamil Nadu, was told by Governor C Vidyasagar Rao that the signatures of lawmakers she submitted as the proof of support she enjoys within the AIADMK will be verified, NDTV reports.

During her 30-minute meeting with the Governor, Sasikala, who is in the centre of storm within the AIADMK, was accompanied by ten ministers.

They made a 10-point presentation on the party's decision to choose  Sasikala to take over as Chief Minister.

Before Sasikala, the Governor met interim Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, the man whom Sasikala hopes to replace.

According to NDTV, Paneerselvam's camp has alleged that the legislators backing  Sasikala were forced to sign blank sheets of paper which are now being misused by her to claim her ascension. They also allege that some signatures are forged.

Both the Governor and Sasikala reportedly agreed that the signatures would be authenticated by a senior AIADMK official and the Assembly Speaker.

NDTV quoted its sources as saying that  the Governor informed Sasikala  that  Panneerselvam has asked for five days to prove his support within the party.

 Sasikala reportedly objected, saying she had the written support of all of the AIADMK's 134 legislators, though five of them have crossed over to  Panneerselvam, which makes their actual strength 129, which still was a clear majority.

Paneerselvam, who was the closest aide of late Chief Ministers Jayalalithaa,  has  waged a revolt against Sasikala, who recently became the party's General Secretary and leader of the Legislature Party.

Paneerselvam has gone on record saying that he had to resign as Chief Minister in favour of Sasikala under duress.

Backed by few veteran party leaders like PH Pandian and V Maitreyan, Paneerselvam has also said that the cause of  Jayalalithaa's death is not beyond suspicion and should be investigated into. 

Sasikala, who had long been a backroom operator as a close aide of Jayalalithaa from Poes Garden made a rapid ascent to the party hierarchy after the leader's death in December last year.