Twelve hours after his shocking revelations at Jayalalithaa’s memorial, O Panneerselvam spoke to media persons outside his residence. Acknowledging the doubts that people have voiced over Jayalalithaa’s health, OPS said that he will order an inquiry into the late Chief Minister’s death.
“Government has a duty to probe the death of the late Chief Minister Amma. An inquiry commission will be set up, headed by a Supreme Court judge,” Panneerselvam said.
While AIADMK’s Rajya Sabha MP Maithreyan, and senior leader PH Pandian were standing with him, there was little sign of support from the MLAs of the party. OPS though claimed that he will be able to prove his legitimacy on the floor of the House.
In an effort to consolidate the opposition against Sasikala, Panneerselvam also made an invitation to Deepa, Jayalalithaa’s niece, who has been saying she will join politics. “As the daughter of Amma’s brother, I have respect for her,” he said, adding that she is welcome to join the party.
While OPS was more or less restrained in his speech, his supporter PH Pandian went no holds barred against Sasikala. Accusing her of running after power in order to amass wealth, Pandian claimed that he will file an FIR against Sasikala and her family if she doesn’t let OPS and the MLAs alone.
“I have to protect OPS now, I will do anything for him,” Pandian declared, as he made several accusations against Sasikala and her family. Openly claiming that Jayalalithaa was given wrong medication by a doctor in Sasikala’s family, Pandian said that more revelations will come out in the course of the day.
Meanwhile, there are several questions over Panneerselvam’s resignation, and whether he can withdraw it. While OPS himself said that he would withdraw the resgination if it came down to it, Pandian claimed that because of the circumstances under which OPS quit - namely that he was forced to resign - the resignation will not be valid.
While both OPS and Sasikala are trying to show their strength to the people of Tamil Nadu, the jury is out on who will be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the coming weeks.