Panneerselvam to be expelled from AIADMK, leaders hit out at him

Chennai: The AIADMK is expected to expel outgoing chief minister O Panneerselvam from the party within a few hours to quell the possibility
of any revolt against the leadership and in a bid to isolate him in the party. OPS is also expected to be sacked from the post of party Treasurer.

Ministers, MPs and MLAs of the party gathered at Sasikala's residence, the Poes Garden, late on February 7 night, in a bid to
counter the OPS move.  The AIADMK Legislature Party had on Sunday unanimously elected V K Sasikala as the Legislature Party
Leader and asked her to take over the chief ministership. At the meeting, Panneerselvam proposed her name. However, on Feb 7
night, OPS said he was pressurised into supporting her candidature at the meeting.

It is not yet known if Panneerselvam has much support among the party MLAs.

A crucial factor is the presence of Assembly Speaker Dhanapal at the Poes Garden residence.

AIADMK spokeskman  Nanjil Sampath Panneerselvam's action had proved that there was a conspiracy to break the AIADMK but
they would not succeed. He said the DMK was behind the conspiracy, and was egging on Panneerselvam.

Acting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, who was playing truant for the last few days, has suddenly revealed that he would come to
Chennai on Wednesday. The timing is ominous, coming as it does closely on the heels of OPS hint that he may take back the
resignation.