Did Sasikala sack OPS for refusing to sign illegal deals worth crores?
Synopsis
AIADMK leaders have been slowly speaking to the media, with allegations against Sasikala. KS Geeta has alleged that Sasikala fired OPS for turning down a corrupt deal. Geeta had earlier filed for a probe into Jayalalithaa's death in the courts.
KS Geeta, who was once a general secretary of the Janata Dal, and is now considered an AIADMK leader, has made a serious allegation against VK Sasikala, possibly Tamil Nadu's next Chief Minister.
Speaking to India Today in an interview, Geeta alleged that former CM O Panneerselvam (OPS) has refused to sign 'illegal deals' worth hundreds of crores in favour of Sasikala's loyalists, particularly Shekar Reddy.
In a raid in December 2016, the IT dept had seized some Rs 100 crore in cash and 120 kgs of gold from raids in Reddy's house and offices.
While Geeta did not get into specifics of these alleged contracts, she alleged that Sasikala was so angered by OPS' refusal to sign the documents that she forced him to resign. Geeta claimed that bureaucrat Sheela Balakrishnan, a known Jayalalithaa loyalist, was also pushed out for the same reason.
In the same interview, Geeta expressed fear of VK Sasikala and her family, whom she accused of being 'known for dacoity and looting'.
No one from the AIADMK has reacted to these allegations.
Geeta's allegations join PH Pandian, who also a senior AIADMK leader and a former Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislature. Pandian had alleged that Jayalalithaa was pushed down some stairs in Poes Garden and also claimed that Jaya feared being poisoned by Sasikala.
These allegations are part of a growing number of AIADMK members who seem uncomfortable with the sudden rise of VK Sasikala.