Prior to her death in December 2016, five term Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram appointed O. Panneerselvam as her successor. Now in February 2016, that appointment is in dispute: V. K. Sasikala demands the Chief Minister post for herself.
Why is there now a controversy over appointing the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?
As you might know, Sasikala is a companion of Jayalalitha and Panneerselvam is a staunch loyalist. After the death of Jayalalitha, Panneerselvam assumed office as Chief Minister as he did earlier, to serve as pro-temp Chief Minister of State.
However, the situation now is that Panneerselvam has rebelled saying that "he was forced to step down as Chief Minister," and can continue to be Chief Minister of State. The situation is that the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the parties are now being taken to a unknown place by Sasikala to stop Panneerselvam gaining trust of those MLA's to support him as their leader.
On Tuesday, in a dramatic twist, outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam openly rebelled against AIADMK Chief VK Sasikala and said that he was forced to step down from the CM post. He said, "I will take back my resignation if party workers and people ask me to."
Now Sasikala is presenting herself as the leader of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, by gaining support and awaiting the invitation from the Governor to form a government.
There is more to come.
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