Panneerselvam vs. Sasikala: Here are the 4 options before Governor Rao
Synopsis
Governor of Tamil Nadu can impose President's rule. He can also allow withdrawal of O Panneerselvam's already accepted resignation. Currently, O Panneerselvam is the interim CM of Tamil Nadu.
The ruling government of Tamil Nadu is witnessing a face-off between Sasikala and O Panneerselvam for the post of Chief Minister of the state. The majority of AIADMK MLAs are supposedly backing Sasikala whereas the people of the state are inclined towards O Panneerselvam as CM of Tamil Nadu. There are also rumours in the corridors of power that the central government of BJP is also backing O Panneerselvam who is the current interim CM.
The final round of this battle of power will be on the floor of state assembly where one of the two will prove that they have clear majority support of party MLAs to form the government. This floor test is done in front of the Governor of the state who also conducts the swearing in ceremony of the elected chief minister.
The current Governor of Tamil Nadu Vidyasagar Rao, who also happens to be the Governor of Maharashtra, is the one who will put an end to this political uncertainty in the state. However, at present, he is supposedly in Maharashtra and is avoiding Chennai for reasons unknown.
According to various reports, the Governor is supposed to reach Chennai on the afternoon of February 9 to end the political standoff by taking a decision. His presence is much anticipated and here are the four options that he has to settle the dispute.
1. O Panneerselvam resigned from the position of Chief Minister which has been accepted by the Governor. Now, the Governor can allow him to withdraw the resignation and ask to prove majority support of MLAs in the state assembly. Panneerselvam needs the support of 117 AIADMK MLAs.
2. The Governor can also accept the AIADMA MLAs’ letter of support for Sasikala and ask her to prove the majority support by verifying documents or by parading the MLAs before the Governor or on the Assembly floor.
3. He can also dissolve the Tamil Nadu assembly and allow fresh assembly polls to elect the Chief Minister.
4. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao can also impose President’s rule and put the state assembly in suspended animation unless some suitable alternative is found to lift the President’s rule and make the assembly active again.