After 40 minutes of silence, OPS revolts: Here's everything he said
- O Panneerselvam made an unexpected visit to Jaya's 'samadhi' and sat in meditation for about 40 minutes.
- He later narrated how attempts have been made to force him to allow Sasikala's elevation as CM.
FollowOPS made a surprise visit to Jayalalithaa's samadhi and sat in meditation for about 40 minutes, which had already started causing triggers in the political circles. He later spoke to journalists, narrating how attempts were made to force him to make way to Sasikala's elevation. "They forced me, saying you should follow party discipline. I resigned because I was forced to," Panneerselvam declared in a dramatic late night turn of events in Chennai.
He broke his silence on the happenings in the party and said he was insulted by the senior Ministers and leader who were looking to 'undermine' him after selecting him the leader. He explained how his main job was to protect the party's image. However, attempts were made to 'sabotage' his image.
He narrated how he was called to Poes Garden on Sunday where he was surrounded by senior party leaders, MLAs and Sasikala's family. It should be noted that the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalitha is now occupied by Sasikala.
"They said I should resign to make Sasikala the CM. I asked what was the need for the MLAs’ meeting and they said both the positions of party general secretary and the CM should be with one person," he added.
He further disclosed that they tried convincing him for two hours. "I asked them whether it is fair to ask me to resign after having elected me the leader of the AIADMK legislature party which I did not want in the first place. Still, I tolerated all the insult just to maintain party discipline," he said.
He said he wanted to visit Jaya's samadhi and 'vent out' everything that was on his mind, but was not allowed to. "At that stage, they forced me, saying you should follow party discipline. I resigned because I was forced to," he said.
“Amma wanted me to be the chief minister," . "When she was in the hospital, she asked me to take over as CM. I never wanted to be CM and they made me, then why insult me," he said.
"I want a CM who will protect the people of the state and the state, even if it is not OPS. But he should protect the image of the government that Jaya provided us. I will fight for it to the last even if I am alone," he said.
This comes just a day after senior AIADMK leader and former Speaker of the state assembly P H Pandian revolted against Sasikala.
