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Sasikala Supreme Court verdict: 4 questions that still need to be answered

  • Sasikala has moved to keep OPS out by appointing Edappadi Palaniswamy as the new AIADMK chief
  • The options with the legislators are either choose Panneerselvam or rally behind Palaniswamy
Sasikala Natrajan SC verdict 4 questions that still need to be answered
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First Published Feb 14, 2017, 8:12 AM IST

 

Can Sasikala still become CM of Tamil Nadu?

 

Sasikala Natrajan SC verdict 4 questions that still need to be answered

 

Not for the next 10 years. According to the current court ruling, Sasikala has been considered guilty in the Disproportionate Assets case. She has been sentenced to four years jail and Sasikala will also now be disqualified from holding public office for either six years or in case another appeal is upheld. However, she still has a chance to appeal before a larger bench of the Supreme Court. As seen immediately Sasikala has moved to keep OPS out by appointing Highways Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy as the new AIADMK chief. His first decision as the party chief was to sack acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam from AIADMK membership. So we could expect a repeat of a puppet government with Chinnamma running things from jail.  In fact, Palaniswamy will be meeting the Governor to show his letter of support from the party and OPS is trying to rally the remaining MLAs from the Golden Bay Resort.

 

Who becomes the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

 

Sasikala Natrajan SC verdict 4 questions that still need to be answered

 

An answer that everybody is seeking. Before the judgement, the needle was pointing towards Sasikala thanks to the majority she enjoyed, on the other hand there was O Panneerselvam, who had resigned from the post of the CM of Tamil Nadu, then wanted to withdraw his resignation and then claimed he was still interim CM until a decision was made.  Sasikala has lost out in the CM race, even if she wins a higher appeal. So either its OPS or Sasikala’s pawn in the game who takes charge. Now it depends on the Governor C Vidyasagar Rao if he conducts the Trust Vote or not. Palaniswamy has the backing of the rest of the party to prove he is the next man for the post. 

 

What will be the fate of the MLAs supporting Sasikala?

 

Sasikala Natrajan SC verdict 4 questions that still need to be answered

 

It was a sight to behold. As soon as the verdict against Sasikala was announced, the whole group of MLAs herded inside the Golden Bay resort, where they had been held ‘captive’ for over a week, was shunted out. Almost on cue, here the judgement was pronounced and there the convoy of cars left the resort. Everybody is watching now where the group heads. People were expecting a mass exodus but that has not happened as Sasikala made sure she has a plan B before if she were convicted. The remaining MLAs are rallying behind Palaniswamy, Sasikala Natrajan's proxy

 

What it means for AIADMK?

 

Sasikala Natrajan SC verdict 4 questions that still need to be answered

 

A few days, the time where all this began, the party had elected Sasikala as its legislative chief of party. The options with the legislators are either choose Panneerselvam or rally behind Palaniswamy. Already this episode of infighting between Sasikala Natrajan and O Panneerselvam has led to division in the party, whoever becomes CM will face infighting and in case OPS does gain the seat, he will have to crush rebels at every turn. The ‘united’ front that AIADMK has been putting ip for so long has crashed. Amma’s desire to maintain the unity of the party has also been forgotten.

 

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