VK Sasikala, former aide of late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, has organized a high-profile event on Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary, sparking speculation about her political comeback. Analysts and party members weigh in on her potential role in state politics and the impact on regional power dynamics.


VK Sasikala Hints at Political Comeback on Jayalalithaa’s Birth Anniversary

VK Sasikala, former aide of late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, has organized a high-profile event on Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary, sparking speculation about her political comeback. Analysts and party members weigh in on her potential role in state politics and the impact on regional power dynamics.

<p>RTI activist, N Murthy, on Sunday stated that allegations were levelled against Bengaluru central prison authorities for providing VIP treatment to jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Murthy stated that five rooms in the prison were allotted to her when she was entitled to only one.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There were allegations against jail authority that they allotted 5 rooms to Sasikala. She was entitled to 1 room but was given 4. In other 4 rooms, female convicts were staying up to 14 February 2017. Once Sasikala reached, they were sent out, all 5 were given to her," Murthy stated.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RTI activist Narasimha Murthy: There's no provision for cooking food in prison but jail authorities deputed one convict to cook for Sasikala. In her case, system was ignored. People used to come in groups, go to her room directly &amp; stay for 3-4 hrs. There was violation of rules. <a href="https://t.co/jYjeRbMyOj">https://t.co/jYjeRbMyOj</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1086902576099004416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further added that one person was deputed to cook food for Sasikala when there was no such provision in the first place.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There's no provision for cooking food in prison but jail authorities deputed one convict to cook for Sasikala. In her case, the system was ignored. People used to come in groups, go to her room directly and stay for 3-4 hours. There was a violation of rules," the activist added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara on reports that Bengaluru central prison had extended special treatment to VK Sasikala: You should ask the Home Minister. I can't answer for him. I don't think so (when asked that it happened during his term as the Home Minister). <a href="https://t.co/rr8R4H9zQW">pic.twitter.com/rr8R4H9zQW</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1086903219425562626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy chief minister MG Parameshwara reacted to the reports saying that he can't answer for the Home Minister. He was asked to react to the reports as he was the Home Minister (state) for Karnataka at the time Sasikala was jailed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You should ask the Home Minister. I can't answer for him. I don't think so," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala is lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was convicted by the Supreme Court in February 2017, in a disproportionate assets case and is serving a four-year sentence.</p>

<p>Sasikala was earlier granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017. She was granted 15-day parole to attend the final rites of her husband Natarajan Maruthappa in March 2018.</p>

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RTI activist, N Murthy, on Sunday stated that allegations were levelled against Bengaluru central prison authorities for providing VIP treatment to jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala.

RTI activist, N Murthy, on Sunday stated that allegations were levelled against Bengaluru central prison authorities for providing VIP treatment to jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala. Murthy stated that five rooms in the prison were allotted to her when she was entitled to only one. "There were allegations against jail authority that they allotted 5 rooms to Sasikala. She was entitled to 1 room but was given 4. In other 4 rooms, female convicts were staying up to 14 February 2017. Once Sasikala reached, they were sent out, all 5 were given to her," Murthy stated. RTI activist Narasimha Murthy: There's no provision for cooking food in prison but jail authorities deputed one convict to cook for Sasikala. In her case, system was ignored. People used to come in groups, go to her room directly & stay for 3-4 hrs. There was violation of rules. https://t.co/jYjeRbMyOj — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2019 × He further added that one person was deputed to cook food for Sasikala when there was no such provision in the first place. "There's no provision for cooking food in prison but jail authorities deputed one convict to cook for Sasikala. In her case, the system was ignored. People used to come in groups, go to her room directly and stay for 3-4 hours. There was a violation of rules," the activist added. Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara on reports that Bengaluru central prison had extended special treatment to VK Sasikala: You should ask the Home Minister. I can't answer for him. I don't think so (when asked that it happened during his term as the Home Minister). pic.twitter.com/rr8R4H9zQW — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2019 × Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy chief minister MG Parameshwara reacted to the reports saying that he can't answer for the Home Minister. He was asked to react to the reports as he was the Home Minister (state) for Karnataka at the time Sasikala was jailed. "You should ask the Home Minister. I can't answer for him. I don't think so," he said. Sasikala is lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. She was convicted by the Supreme Court in February 2017, in a disproportionate assets case and is serving a four-year sentence. Sasikala was earlier granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017. She was granted 15-day parole to attend the final rites of her husband Natarajan Maruthappa in March 2018.

RTI activist alleges VK Sasikala given VIP treatment in jail

<p>VK Sasikala has been granted 15-day parole to attend the final rites&nbsp;of her husband&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sasikalas-husband-hospitalised-critical-36215" target="_blank">Natarajan Maruthappa</a>.</p>

<p>She is now heading to Thanjavur where the last rites of her husband will&nbsp;be&nbsp;conducted.</p>

<p>The body of Natarajan Maruthappa is also being shifted to Thanjavur for final rites.</p>

<p>Following the death of her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sasikalas-husband-hospitalised-critical-36215" target="_blank">husband, Natarajan Maruthappa</a>&nbsp;VK Sasikala had applied for 15-day parole from Bengaluru&#39;s Central Jail.</p>

<p>Sasikala is lodged in&nbsp;Bengaluru&#39;s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was convicted by the Supreme Court in February in a disproportionate assets case.</p>

<p>Sasikala was earlier granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Following the demise of her husband M.Natarajan, VK Sasikala has applied for a 15-day parole. She is lodged at Bengaluru&#39;s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. (File Pic) <a href="https://t.co/aHkAMoBkCs">pic.twitter.com/aHkAMoBkCs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/975955365555855361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sasikalas-husband-hospitalised-critical-36215" target="_blank">Natarajan Maruthappa</a>&nbsp;passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.</p>

<p>He&nbsp;was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection and was kept on ventilator support.</p>

<p>Sasikala was married to Maruthappa for&nbsp;33 years before ending her ties with him after Jayalalithaa&#39;s condition.</p>

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Sasikala is lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. She was convicted by the Supreme Court in February in a disproportionate assets case

VK Sasikala has been granted 15-day parole to attend the final rites of her husband Natarajan Maruthappa. She is now heading to Thanjavur where the last rites of her husband will be conducted. The body of Natarajan Maruthappa is also being shifted to Thanjavur for final rites. Following the death of her husband, Natarajan Maruthappa VK Sasikala had applied for 15-day parole from Bengaluru's Central Jail. Sasikala is lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. She was convicted by the Supreme Court in February in a disproportionate assets case. Sasikala was earlier granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017. Following the demise of her husband M.Natarajan, VK Sasikala has applied for a 15-day parole. She is lodged at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/aHkAMoBkCs — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2018 × Natarajan Maruthappa passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai. He was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection and was kept on ventilator support. Sasikala was married to Maruthappa for 33 years before ending her ties with him after Jayalalithaa's condition.

VK Sasikala granted 15-day parole to attend husband's last rites

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sasikalas-husband-hospitalised-critical-36215" target="_blank">VK Sasikala&#39;s husband Natarajan Maruthappa</a> passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.</p>

<p>Maruthappa&nbsp;was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection.</p>

<p>He was in critical condition and was kept on ventilator support.</p>

<p>He died at the age of 75.</p>

<p>Sasikala, who is in jail, visited Natarajan when she came out on parole in October last year. Natarajan had undergone a liver and kidney transplant and was then recovering in a hospital.</p>

<p>Sasikala was convicted by the Supreme Court in February in a disproportionate assets case.</p>

<p>She was granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017.</p>

<p>Sasikala was married to Maruthappa for&nbsp;33 years before ending her ties with him due to Jayalalithaa&#39;s condition.</p>

<p>Natarajan Maruthappa was a&nbsp;former government public relations officer.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Maruthappa was admitted to hospital on March 16 with a severe chest infection. He was in critical condition

VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai. Maruthappa was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection. He was in critical condition and was kept on ventilator support. He died at the age of 75. Sasikala, who is in jail, visited Natarajan when she came out on parole in October last year. Natarajan had undergone a liver and kidney transplant and was then recovering in a hospital. Sasikala was convicted by the Supreme Court in February in a disproportionate assets case. She was granted five days of parole to visit her ailing husband who was discharged from hospital in November 2017. Sasikala was married to Maruthappa for 33 years before ending her ties with him due to Jayalalithaa's condition. Natarajan Maruthappa was a former government public relations officer.

VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa dead at 75

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/clashes-after-karnataka-gives-separate-religion-status-to-lingayats-36434" target="_blank">Clashes after Karnataka gives separate religion status to Lingayats</a></p>

<p>Clashes between the members of Karnataka&#39;s Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities broke out on Monday in the state&#39;s Kalaburagi district hours after the Karnataka government approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-government-gives-nod-to-separate-religion-for-lingayats-36379">separate religion minority status</a>&nbsp;for the Lingayat and the Veerashaiva Lingayat community.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vk-sasikalas-husband-natarajan-maruthappa-passes-away-at-75-36422" target="_blank">VK Sasikala&#39;s husband Natarajan Maruthappa dead at 75</a></p>

<p>VK Sasikala&#39;s husband Natarajan Maruthappa&nbsp;passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.Maruthappa&nbsp;was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britain-eu-agree-brexit-transition-deal-36429" target="_blank">Britain, EU agree Brexit transition deal</a></p>

<p>Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc&#39;s rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/progressive-people-of-pakistan-eager-to-have-friendly-ties-with-india-muttahida-qaumi-movement-mqm-founder-36425" target="_blank">Progressive people of Pakistan eager to have friendly ties with India: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder</a></p>

<p>The founder leader of Pakistan&#39;s political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has claimed that he has never been against the country and only wants to eliminate the repressive and exploitative feudal system from there.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-under-pressure-as-us-eu-urge-probes-of-data-practices-36433" target="_blank">Facebook under pressure as US, EU urge probes of data practices</a></p>

<p>British privacy regulators are seeking a warrant to search the offices of the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica late Monday following reports that the company may have&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-suspends-trump-campaign-data-firm-cambridge-analytica-36332" target="_blank">improperly gained access</a>&nbsp;to data on 50 million Facebook users, according to a Channel 4 television report.</p>


Clashes after Karnataka gives separate religion status to Lingayats Clashes between the members of Karnataka's Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities broke out on Monday in the state's Kalaburagi district hours after the Karnataka government approved separate religion minority status for the Lingayat and the Veerashaiva Lingayat community. VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa dead at 75 VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.Maruthappa was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection. Britain, EU agree Brexit transition deal Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc's rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce. Progressive people of Pakistan eager to have friendly ties with India: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder The founder leader of Pakistan's political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has claimed that he has never been against the country and only wants to eliminate the repressive and exploitative feudal system from there. Facebook under pressure as US, EU urge probes of data practices British privacy regulators are seeking a warrant to search the offices of the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica late Monday following reports that the company may have improperly gained access to data on 50 million Facebook users, according to a Channel 4 television report.

WION Morning News Brief, March 20, 2018

<p>The ruling AIADMK on Sunday alleged there was a &quot;tacit understanding&quot; between TTV Dhinakaran and the opposition DMK to defeat it in the RK Nagar bypoll, in which the sidelined party leader emerged victorious.</p>

<p>The party is also likely to brainstorm on today&#39;s defeat at a meeting here tomorrow, party sources said.</p>

<p>Asserting that the win achieved by &quot;conspiracy&quot; by Stalin and Dhinakaran will not affect AIADMK, party coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator K Palaniswami said DMK, their party&#39;s arch rival, faced its &quot;worst defeat&quot; in an election to any Assembly segment in Tamil Nadu so far.</p>

<p>Dhinakaran won the bypoll by a thumping margin of over 40,000 votes while DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh finished third, garnering 24,651 votes, in the process losing deposit. AIADMKs&#39; E Madhusudanan came second.</p>

<p>The bypoll was held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of sitting MLA and then chief minister J Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>&quot;The result of the RK Nagar bypoll is an outcome of the tacit understanding between DMK Working President MK Stalin and Dhinakaran,&quot; Panneerselvam and Palaniswami said in a joint statement tonight.</p>

<p>Rejecting the charge, Stalin alleged it was the state ministers under the charge of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam who aided the Dhinakaran camp in distributing money to the voters.</p>

<p>Responding to reporters&#39;&nbsp;queries on the charge by AIADMK, he asserted that the DMK faced the poll only in &quot;alliance with democracy&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Hence this poll is not a loss for DMK. It is a huge defeat for the Election Commission,&quot; Stalin claimed.</p>

<p>The joint statement said the bypoll result showed how Stalin and Dhinakaran &quot;planned to defame&quot; party founder, the late MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa by &quot;joining hands to defeat&quot; Two leaves, the AIADMK&#39;s symbol.</p>

<p>&quot;People are amazed how DMK is pushed to a situation where it could not even get the primary votes it has in RK Nagar. At the same time, they are questioning how DMK can enter into a conspiracy with Dhinakaran to defame Amma,&quot; they added.</p>

<p>Stalin had entered into such a &quot;tacit understanding&quot; unmindful of his party&#39;s performance as his sole intention was to target the AIADMK government, they alleged.</p>

<p>Taking a swipe at Dhinakaran, the two leaders said he had earlier been expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa along with other relatives of her confidante VK Sasikala.</p>

<p>They also accused him of &quot;betraying&quot; Jayalalithaa even after her death by allegedly joining hands with DMK.</p>

<p>They cited Dhinakaran&#39;s response to the acquittal of DMK leaders Kanimozhi and A Raja, in the 2G spectrum allocation case on December 21, that he was happy for them as they hailed from Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>&quot;The election outcome shows he (Dhinakaran) received DMK votes as a reward for this. Realising he cannot take on AIADMK and Two Leaves directly, Stalin has diverted his party votes to Dhinakaran,&quot; they charged and accused the DMK leader of &quot;betraying&quot; his party.</p>

<p>The two AIADMK leaders also levelled allegations of money distribution against Dhinakaran.</p>

<p>They said Dhinakaran&#39;s victory cannot be accepted as the &quot;thought process&quot; of the people of entire Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>The win achieved by &quot;conspiracy&quot; by Stalin and Dhinakaran will not affect AIADMK nor was it a setback, they said.</p>

<p>They vowed to take forward the &quot;Amma rule&quot; and deliver welfare and commit to upholding Jayalalithaa&#39;s fame.</p>

<p>In Coimbatore, senior BJP leader L Ganesan said this was a victory of Jayalalithaa and AIADMK should introspect about the results, which would have been different had it remained a single entity.</p>

<p>On his party&#39;s performance, Ganesan said people had not not taken into considering the BJP&#39;s presence in the contest. This was a factor to be thought about, he added.</p>

<p>Senior AIADMK leader and Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha M Thambidurai said the result proved that DMK was not able to break the Jayalalithaa citadel and its campaign had no impact on the people.&nbsp;</p>


TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of jailed leader VK Sasikala, trounced his nearest rival E Madhusudhanan of the ruling AIADMK by over 40,000 votes

The ruling AIADMK on Sunday alleged there was a "tacit understanding" between TTV Dhinakaran and the opposition DMK to defeat it in the RK Nagar bypoll, in which the sidelined party leader emerged victorious. The party is also likely to brainstorm on today's defeat at a meeting here tomorrow, party sources said. Asserting that the win achieved by "conspiracy" by Stalin and Dhinakaran will not affect AIADMK, party coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator K Palaniswami said DMK, their party's arch rival, faced its "worst defeat" in an election to any Assembly segment in Tamil Nadu so far. Dhinakaran won the bypoll by a thumping margin of over 40,000 votes while DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh finished third, garnering 24,651 votes, in the process losing deposit. AIADMKs' E Madhusudanan came second. The bypoll was held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of sitting MLA and then chief minister J Jayalalithaa. "The result of the RK Nagar bypoll is an outcome of the tacit understanding between DMK Working President MK Stalin and Dhinakaran," Panneerselvam and Palaniswami said in a joint statement tonight. Rejecting the charge, Stalin alleged it was the state ministers under the charge of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam who aided the Dhinakaran camp in distributing money to the voters. Responding to reporters' queries on the charge by AIADMK, he asserted that the DMK faced the poll only in "alliance with democracy". "Hence this poll is not a loss for DMK. It is a huge defeat for the Election Commission," Stalin claimed. The joint statement said the bypoll result showed how Stalin and Dhinakaran "planned to defame" party founder, the late MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa by "joining hands to defeat" Two leaves, the AIADMK's symbol. "People are amazed how DMK is pushed to a situation where it could not even get the primary votes it has in RK Nagar. At the same time, they are questioning how DMK can enter into a conspiracy with Dhinakaran to defame Amma," they added. Stalin had entered into such a "tacit understanding" unmindful of his party's performance as his sole intention was to target the AIADMK government, they alleged. Taking a swipe at Dhinakaran, the two leaders said he had earlier been expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa along with other relatives of her confidante VK Sasikala. They also accused him of "betraying" Jayalalithaa even after her death by allegedly joining hands with DMK. They cited Dhinakaran's response to the acquittal of DMK leaders Kanimozhi and A Raja, in the 2G spectrum allocation case on December 21, that he was happy for them as they hailed from Tamil Nadu. "The election outcome shows he (Dhinakaran) received DMK votes as a reward for this. Realising he cannot take on AIADMK and Two Leaves directly, Stalin has diverted his party votes to Dhinakaran," they charged and accused the DMK leader of "betraying" his party. The two AIADMK leaders also levelled allegations of money distribution against Dhinakaran. They said Dhinakaran's victory cannot be accepted as the "thought process" of the people of entire Tamil Nadu. The win achieved by "conspiracy" by Stalin and Dhinakaran will not affect AIADMK nor was it a setback, they said. They vowed to take forward the "Amma rule" and deliver welfare and commit to upholding Jayalalithaa's fame. In Coimbatore, senior BJP leader L Ganesan said this was a victory of Jayalalithaa and AIADMK should introspect about the results, which would have been different had it remained a single entity. On his party's performance, Ganesan said people had not not taken into considering the BJP's presence in the contest. This was a factor to be thought about, he added. Senior AIADMK leader and Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha M Thambidurai said the result proved that DMK was not able to break the Jayalalithaa citadel and its campaign had no impact on the people.

RK Nagar win for Dinakaran: AIADMK alleges 'tacit understanding' with DMK

<p>The Supreme Court on Friday ordered M Natarajan, husband of jailed and ousted AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, and his nephew Bhaskaran to pay Rs 25 lakh each in the illegal import of luxury lexus car.</p>

<p>The court also asked the duo to surrender before a trial court and seek bail in the case.</p>

<p>Natarajan and Bhaskaran were given two-year jail term by a special CBI court in 2010. They filed an appeal against it which was pending for seven years before the Madras High Court dismissed it and upheld the sentence in November, 2017.</p>

<p>Their houses were also raided by income tax officials last month in connection with tax evasion.</p>

<p>Natarajan and his nephew are accused of evading tax to the tune of Rs 1.06 crore while importing the lexus car from London in the 90s by forging invoices.</p>

<p>The CBI and enforcement directorate had registred separate cases against Natarajan and others.</p>

<p>Sasikala, who is in jail since February, visited Natarajan when she came out on parole in October this year. Natarajan underwent a liver and kidney transplant and is recovering in a hospital.</p>


Natarajan and his nephew are accused of evading tax to the tune of Rs 1.06 crore while importing the lexus car from London in the 90s by forging invoices.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered M Natarajan, husband of jailed and ousted AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, and his nephew Bhaskaran to pay Rs 25 lakh each in the illegal import of luxury lexus car. The court also asked the duo to surrender before a trial court and seek bail in the case. Natarajan and Bhaskaran were given two-year jail term by a special CBI court in 2010. They filed an appeal against it which was pending for seven years before the Madras High Court dismissed it and upheld the sentence in November, 2017. Their houses were also raided by income tax officials last month in connection with tax evasion. Natarajan and his nephew are accused of evading tax to the tune of Rs 1.06 crore while importing the lexus car from London in the 90s by forging invoices. The CBI and enforcement directorate had registred separate cases against Natarajan and others. Sasikala, who is in jail since February, visited Natarajan when she came out on parole in October this year. Natarajan underwent a liver and kidney transplant and is recovering in a hospital.

Lexus car import case: Supreme Court asks Sasikala's husband to surrender

<p>&nbsp;TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction.</p>

<p>The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction <a href="https://t.co/dNYKpZUBsY">pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935846273877393408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice</a> to the Assembly will be held on December 21.</p>

<p>The counting will take place on December 24.</p>

<p>The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar constituency earlier this year.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-election-commission-cancels-rk-nagar-bypolls-in-chennai-14360" target="_blank">elections were cancelled after allegations </a>of cash against votes had surfaced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The decision has come with the consent of VK Sasikala

TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction. The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail. With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × The bypoll for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice to the Assembly will be held on December 21. The counting will take place on December 24. The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency earlier this year. The elections were cancelled after allegations of cash against votes had surfaced. The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides. It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala's consent

<p>Madras High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Advocate General to make a quick decision on whether they will take any action to disqualify the nineteen MLAs who support TTV Dhinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Madras HC orders TN Adv General to respond at the earliest on if thr will be any action takn to disqualify 19 MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908234499497930752">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The state assembly deputy speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) has clarified that he will take a decision on the eighteen dissenting MLAs, hoping that they return to their faction.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Speaker will decide on 18 dissenting MLAs; we believe they will return to our faction: TN Assembly Dy Speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) <a href="https://t.co/dJ2EQ9xvyN">pic.twitter.com/dJ2EQ9xvyN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908239020437651456">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, the&nbsp;AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">TTV Dhinakaran faction moves Madras High Court on plea over floor test in Tamil Nadu assembly</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908227914486898689">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The MLAs from the Dhinakaran faction have also raised question over the removal of VK Sasikala calling the AIADMK Gen Council meeting that led to the ousting of Sasikala as illegal.</p>

<p>They said to the &nbsp;Election Commission officials &quot; AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn&#39;t be considered legal.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: TTV Dhinakaran faction MLAs met EC officials; say AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn&#39;t be considered legal <a href="https://t.co/bQu82lqakw">pic.twitter.com/bQu82lqakw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908232341897617408">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A member of the Dhinakaran faction has also indicated at a party meeting to be held soon after they get approval from the party &#39;General Secretary&#39; VK Sasikala.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very soon we&#39;ll hold General Council meet of the party after consent of Gen Secy (VK Sasikala): Vijila Sathyananth, TTV Dhinakaran faction <a href="https://t.co/1UMcxz8tTJ">pic.twitter.com/1UMcxz8tTJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908232981478645760">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nineteen MLAs from the AIADMK moved out of the party after Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu united with O. Panneerselvam, after months of conflict.&nbsp;</p>


Earlier, the?AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly

Madras High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Advocate General to make a quick decision on whether they will take any action to disqualify the nineteen MLAs who support TTV Dhinakaran. Madras HC orders TN Adv General to respond at the earliest on if thr will be any action takn to disqualify 19 MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × The state assembly deputy speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) has clarified that he will take a decision on the eighteen dissenting MLAs, hoping that they return to their faction. Speaker will decide on 18 dissenting MLAs; we believe they will return to our faction: TN Assembly Dy Speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) pic.twitter.com/dJ2EQ9xvyN — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × Earlier, the AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly. TTV Dhinakaran faction moves Madras High Court on plea over floor test in Tamil Nadu assembly — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × The MLAs from the Dhinakaran faction have also raised question over the removal of VK Sasikala calling the AIADMK Gen Council meeting that led to the ousting of Sasikala as illegal. They said to the Election Commission officials " AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn't be considered legal. Delhi: TTV Dhinakaran faction MLAs met EC officials; say AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn't be considered legal pic.twitter.com/bQu82lqakw — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × A member of the Dhinakaran faction has also indicated at a party meeting to be held soon after they get approval from the party 'General Secretary' VK Sasikala. Very soon we'll hold General Council meet of the party after consent of Gen Secy (VK Sasikala): Vijila Sathyananth, TTV Dhinakaran faction pic.twitter.com/1UMcxz8tTJ — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × Nineteen MLAs from the AIADMK moved out of the party after Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu united with O. Panneerselvam, after months of conflict.

TN HC orders advocate to take quick decision on 19 dissenting MLAs

<p>AIADMK party sources dismissed reports of an immediate merger between the two factions of the party late Friday, stating that a few &quot;ticklish&quot; issues had to be sorted out first.</p>

<p>Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam held consultations with his loyalists, while chief minister E Palaniswami held marathon talks with his cabinet colleagues.</p>

<p>Speculation is rife that the two factions of the AIADMK will be annoucing their merger soon.</p>

<p>News reports said there has been &quot;hectic political activity in Chennai&quot;.&nbsp;The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions met for over four hours today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial at Marina Beach had been decked up with flowers.&nbsp;However, it soon became apparent that there were hurdles to the merger talks, with leaders of both factions starting to leave the venue.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hectic political activity in Chennai with regard to possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMKMerger?src=hash">#AIADMKMerger</a> (visuals from outside OPS&#39;s residence) <a href="https://t.co/Y65FW2UMTv">pic.twitter.com/Y65FW2UMTv</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/898551365953179649">August 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: Leaders expected at J Jayalalithaa memorial after possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMKMerger?src=hash">#AIADMKMerger</a> <a href="https://t.co/8qxyEHjnGC">pic.twitter.com/8qxyEHjnGC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/898552053470871552">August 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami had on Thursday announced a judicial enquiry into Jayalalithaa&#39;s death, and that the former chief minister&#39;s Poes Garden home would be turned into a museum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That took care of two of the three conditions laid down by O Panneerselvam for a merger of the two parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The third condition was the removal of current party supremo VK Sasikala and members of her family from the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami had earlier this month removed Sasikala&#39;s nephew TTV Dinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary of the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala herself is currently in a Bengaluru jail after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case.&nbsp;</p>


News reports said there has been 'hectic political activity in Chennai'

AIADMK party sources dismissed reports of an immediate merger between the two factions of the party late Friday, stating that a few "ticklish" issues had to be sorted out first. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam held consultations with his loyalists, while chief minister E Palaniswami held marathon talks with his cabinet colleagues. Speculation is rife that the two factions of the AIADMK will be annoucing their merger soon. News reports said there has been "hectic political activity in Chennai". The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions met for over four hours today. And that Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach had been decked up with flowers. However, it soon became apparent that there were hurdles to the merger talks, with leaders of both factions starting to leave the venue. Hectic political activity in Chennai with regard to possible #AIADMKMerger (visuals from outside OPS's residence) pic.twitter.com/Y65FW2UMTv — ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017 × Chennai: Leaders expected at J Jayalalithaa memorial after possible #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/8qxyEHjnGC — ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017 × Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami had on Thursday announced a judicial enquiry into Jayalalithaa's death, and that the former chief minister's Poes Garden home would be turned into a museum. That took care of two of the three conditions laid down by O Panneerselvam for a merger of the two parties. The third condition was the removal of current party supremo VK Sasikala and members of her family from the party. Palaniswami had earlier this month removed Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary of the party. Sasikala herself is currently in a Bengaluru jail after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case.

AIADMK merger deferred for now: Party sources

<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami has taken another potshot at TTV Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &quot;apt word for him is 420,&quot; ANI reported Palaniswami as saying about Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, who is the chief of the AIADMK&#39;s EPS (Palaniswami) faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala is currently in jail; she had appointed Dinakraran the party&#39;s deputy general secretary just before being imprisoned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami had on Thursday said Dinakaran&#39;s appointment as deputy general secretary was &quot;not acceptable&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His comments are being seen as a signal to the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction of the AIADMK and as setting the stage for the merger of the two factions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of Panneerselvam&#39;s conditions for a merger was the ouster of Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>


His comments are being seen as a signal to the rebel faction of the AIADMK led by O Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami has taken another potshot at TTV Dinakaran. The "apt word for him is 420," ANI reported Palaniswami as saying about Dinakaran. Dinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, who is the chief of the AIADMK's EPS (Palaniswami) faction. Sasikala is currently in jail; she had appointed Dinakraran the party's deputy general secretary just before being imprisoned. Palaniswami had on Thursday said Dinakaran's appointment as deputy general secretary was "not acceptable". His comments are being seen as a signal to the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction of the AIADMK and as setting the stage for the merger of the two factions. One of Panneerselvam's conditions for a merger was the ouster of Dinakaran.

'Apt word for him is 420': Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami on Dinakaran

<p>The leadership crisis in the AIADMK took another turn with veteran AIADMK leader and party spokesperson C Ponnaiyan&nbsp;joining acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam&#39;s camp. Another leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Sathyabama also extended her support to Panneerselvam.</p>

<p>After meeting her party MLAs at the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur, Sasikala expressed happiness and said that the time lag that has been created appears to be intended to split the party, the AIADMK posted on its twitter handle. She also said that they have been&nbsp;patiently waiting till today, the party tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We were waiting patiently till this moment for a reply from the honourable Governor- Respected Chinnamma</p>
&mdash; AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIADMKOfficial/status/830434384989679617">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The created time lag looks like it was intended to create a split in the party-Respected Chinnamma</p>
&mdash; AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIADMKOfficial/status/830433399005335553">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala reached the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur where she met&nbsp;party legislators who have been lodged there as she awaits an appointment&nbsp;with the Governor of Tamil Nadu.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tamil Nadu: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VKSasikala?src=hash">#VKSasikala</a> reaches Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur where MLAs are lodged. <a href="https://t.co/gkLZ9dNknA">pic.twitter.com/gkLZ9dNknA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/830360666712051712">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sasikala had visited Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial at Chennai&#39;s Marina beach, before heading out to the resort at Koovathur&nbsp;to meet party MLAs.</p>

<p>She&nbsp;has sought an appointment with the Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao.&nbsp;It is expected that she will parade all those party legislators who are backing her before the Governor in a bid to prove her majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I would like to seek an appointment with you by today along with all MLAs who extended their support to me regarding further course of action to form the government,&quot; the letter read.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe your Excellency will act immediately to save the sovereignty of the Constitution, democracy and the interest of the state,&quot; the letter added.</p>
<centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/54Uk5OZ47EQ" width="560"></iframe><centre>
<p>The political tussle between the two factions led by caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala took a dramatic turn when the state education minister K Pandiarajan crossed over to the former&#39;s camp this morning.</p>

<p>&quot;I have extended my support to the chief minister (OPS), our only aim is to keep party united,&quot; the minister said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have extended my support to CM (OPS), our only aim is to keep party united: State minister K Pandiarajan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/IKsCdDL36p">pic.twitter.com/IKsCdDL36p</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/830336777185484802">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pandiarajan was one of the 10 ministers who had accompanied AIADMK general secretary Sasikala to meet the state&#39;s Governor where she presented her credentials to stake claim for the chief minister&#39;s position.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, two MPs have extended support to Panneerselvam. Ashok Kumar from Krishnagiri and PR Sundaram from Namakkal have extended support to the caretaker chief minister, The Hindu reported.</p>

<p>The faction led by Panneerselvam was bolstered when Sasikala loyalist and the party&#39;s presidium chairman E Madusudanan wrote to the Election Commission of India asking it not to recognise VK Sasikala as the party general secretary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala, later, expelled him as the party presidium chairman.</p>

<p>&quot;People do not like Sasikala,&quot; Madusudanan, who is considered the No. 2 in the AIADMK said.</p>

<p>&quot;Only to seek pardon (for associating with Sasikala), I have come to the side of Panneerselvam,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>AIADMK legislator V Maithreyan hailed Panneerselvam as Jayalalithaa&#39;s successor and said what began as a &quot;silent meditation&quot; had now led to an uprising.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday, caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam met the governor and briefed him about the political developments in the state.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, in a dramatic turn of events, Panneerselvam, after visiting the Jayalalithaa memorial, announced that he was forced to resign as chief minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>
</centre></centre>

Earlier, Sasikala reached the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur where she met?party legislators

The leadership crisis in the AIADMK took another turn with veteran AIADMK leader and party spokesperson C Ponnaiyan joining acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's camp. Another leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Sathyabama also extended her support to Panneerselvam. After meeting her party MLAs at the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur, Sasikala expressed happiness and said that the time lag that has been created appears to be intended to split the party, the AIADMK posted on its twitter handle. She also said that they have been patiently waiting till today, the party tweeted. We were waiting patiently till this moment for a reply from the honourable Governor- Respected Chinnamma — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 11, 2017 × The created time lag looks like it was intended to create a split in the party-Respected Chinnamma — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 11, 2017 × Earlier, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala reached the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur where she met party legislators who have been lodged there as she awaits an appointment with the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu: #VKSasikala reaches Golden Bay Resort in Kuvathur where MLAs are lodged. pic.twitter.com/gkLZ9dNknA — ANI (@ANI_news) February 11, 2017 × Sasikala had visited Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina beach, before heading out to the resort at Koovathur to meet party MLAs. She has sought an appointment with the Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao. It is expected that she will parade all those party legislators who are backing her before the Governor in a bid to prove her majority. "I would like to seek an appointment with you by today along with all MLAs who extended their support to me regarding further course of action to form the government," the letter read. "I believe your Excellency will act immediately to save the sovereignty of the Constitution, democracy and the interest of the state," the letter added. The political tussle between the two factions led by caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala took a dramatic turn when the state education minister K Pandiarajan crossed over to the former's camp this morning. "I have extended my support to the chief minister (OPS), our only aim is to keep party united," the minister said. I have extended my support to CM (OPS), our only aim is to keep party united: State minister K Pandiarajan #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/IKsCdDL36p — ANI (@ANI_news) February 11, 2017 × Pandiarajan was one of the 10 ministers who had accompanied AIADMK general secretary Sasikala to meet the state's Governor where she presented her credentials to stake claim for the chief minister's position. Meanwhile, two MPs have extended support to Panneerselvam. Ashok Kumar from Krishnagiri and PR Sundaram from Namakkal have extended support to the caretaker chief minister, The Hindu reported. The faction led by Panneerselvam was bolstered when Sasikala loyalist and the party's presidium chairman E Madusudanan wrote to the Election Commission of India asking it not to recognise VK Sasikala as the party general secretary. Sasikala, later, expelled him as the party presidium chairman. "People do not like Sasikala," Madusudanan, who is considered the No. 2 in the AIADMK said. "Only to seek pardon (for associating with Sasikala), I have come to the side of Panneerselvam," he added. AIADMK legislator V Maithreyan hailed Panneerselvam as Jayalalithaa's successor and said what began as a "silent meditation" had now led to an uprising. On Wednesday, caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam met the governor and briefed him about the political developments in the state. On Tuesday, in a dramatic turn of events, Panneerselvam, after visiting the Jayalalithaa memorial, announced that he was forced to resign as chief minister. (WION with inputs from agencies)

AIADMK crisis: Two more senior leaders switch over to Panneerselvam's camp

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