Split in AIADMK: I was forced to quit, Amma's spirit wants me to reveal the truth, says defiant Panneerselvam

NEW DELHI: In a surprising move, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam said Jaya's spirit has asked him to reveal the truth and he was forced to quit as state chief minister.

Launching a scathing attack against Sasikala, he also said he is ready to withdraw his resignation if people of Tamil Nadu and party cadres so desired.

Breaking his silence, Panneerselvam said: "People of Tamil Nadu need to be told truth, I want to reveal the truth," O Panneerselvam said after paying tribute at Jayalalithaa's memorial."


"I came here and sat silently in meditation, to search my conscience," he said. "I came here to speak the truth. Amma in hospital had told me, we have the responsibility to save party and government."

"Amma wanted top position for me and wanted Speaker Madhusudhan to be the General Secretary of AIADMK," he added.

"Party leaders said I have to take initiative towards making Sasikala CM that's how I was forced to tender resignation. I will take back my resignation as chief minister if party workers, people are with me," AIADMK leader said.

"I had no idea that a meeting of MLAs had taken place. I was hurt that they had put me in a seat I didn’t want and then insulted me by asking to quit. They threatened to take disciplinary action against me if I refused to toe their line," AIADMK leader added.

"One who can protect AIADMK and the government should become CM, even if it's not me," he said.

Panneerselvam visited the memorial of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa tonight and meditated for few minutes. Clad in a white shirt and dhoti, and sporting his trademark holy ash and kumkum, he sat on the floor inside the burial site enclosure in a traditional meditating posture.

After sitting for nearly 40 minutes, he opened his eyes, wiped tears and prostrated as a mark of respect and then circumambulated the burial site. He then prayed before walking away.

Meanwhile, according to some news reports, Sasikala will not be sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister tomorrow. Panneerselvam may be named interim chief minister until governor examines legal implications.

The AIADMK leader, who became the Chief Minister after Jayalalithaa death on December 5, quit on Sunday to make way for VK Sasikala to take charge of the government.

While Sasikala claimed that it was Panneerselvam, who wanted her to become the party chief and the Chief Minister, he had not spoken on the subject publicly earlier.