Updated by admin on
Friday, February 10, 2017 06:14 PM IST
Chennai:
A well-crafted BJP strategy to lure AIADMK MLAs into their den through interim chief minister O Panneerselvam has run into trouble, as it did not expect strong resilience from majority of the AIADMK MLAs who have remained with Sasikala despite threats, temptation and instigation.
A strong signal from the Centre, an openly partisan attitdue of BJP Governor C Vidyasagar Rao tempting offers from the OPS camp have not been able to break the back of the AIADMK MLAs, who remain firmly we theith Sasikala and the top AIADMK leadership.
Despite six days of efforts, OPS has not been able to manage more than 6 MLAs. On the other hand, all the ministers barring OPS are on the other side, all the MPs barring Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan, and 127 of the 134 party MLAs have proved to be loyal to Sasikala.
Dispelling doubts in a section of the media and to disprove the charge of OPS and DMK working president M K Stalin that the MLAs are held captive in a resort along the east coast area, a group of MLAs came out from the hotel and spoke to the media about their stay there, and denied that they were under duress or coercion. They reiterated they were free there, and it was wrong to say they had been illegally detained.
Meanwhile, Governor Rao held a discussion with chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, DGP and other police officials, apparently about the stay of the MLAs in the hotel.
The BJP is worried that OPS will be totally outnumbered when voting takes place in the Assembly, and it would be difficult to support OPS beyond a point. Already, several opposition parties have criticised the Governor for the delay in bringing about a new government, and have accused him and the BJP with working in tandem to create a split in the AIADMK and benefit by it.
Barring E Madhusdhanan, the presidium chairman, no top leader had come forward to support OPS.
The Governor yesterday received delegations of OPS and Sasikala, both of whom staked their claim to form the government.
Sasikala handed over a list of 129 MLAs who supported her candidature for chief ministership, besides senior leaders, office-bearers and MPs. She wanted to be sworn in at the earliest to end the delay. She also refuted the various charges made by OPS which were pointed out by him.
On the other hand, OPS did not hand over any list of MLAs and their number, and vaguely said he would prove his strength in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Home Ministry sources said it had not received any report yet from the State Governor.
