A day after AIADMK Chief VK Sasikala was chosen by party MLAs as leader of the legislative party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Congress leader P Chidambaram has questioned the move.
The former Union Minister has put out two tweets regarding Sasikala's elevation.
The first tweet consists of two rhetorical statements on the rights of party leaders and the general public. The second tweet however, directly questions the AIADMK Government, accusing it of acting against the people's wishes.
"It is the right of AIADMK MLAs to elect their leader. It is the right of the people to ask if the leader deserves to be CM," said Chidambaram in his first tweet, quickly followed by, "Looking back with pride, TN CM chair was occupied by Kamaraj and Anna. AIADMK and PEOPLE OF TAMILNADU are now moving in opposite directions."
Looking back with pride, TN CM chair was occupied by Kamaraj and Anna. AIADMK and PEOPLE OF TAMILNADU are now moving in opposite directions.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 6, 2017
It is the right of AIADMK MLAs to elect their leader. It is the right of the people to ask if the leader deserves to be CM
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 6, 2017
The State BJP meanwhile claimed that the constant political turmoil will adversely affect Tamil Nadu.
While Chidambaram’s tweets directly question VK Sasikala’s credibility as she gears up to occupy the state’s top position, he’s not isolated in his view that the AIADMK is not paying heed to the people's sentiments.
Several opposition parties, including the DMK and BJP have accused the State Government of disrespecting their mandate.
"The people voted for a government to be headed by Ms Jayalalithaa in May, 2016 and not for one to be run by Mr. O Panneerselvam or any other person from Ms Jayalalithaa's household, " said MK Stalin, the working President of the DMK to the media after Sunday's developments.
“Even when Mr. O. Panneerselvam became Chief Minister following the demise of Jayalalithaa, there was talk of replacing him. This kind of unsteady situation is not good for the wellbeing of the state. Why is the AIADMK showing such haste, why the necessity to replace Mr. Panneerselvam?" asked TN BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan.