‘Struggle against one family taking over AIADMK will continue and we will win’ : OPS

16 February, Chennai

Unable to muster enough numbers of MLAs, despiteenjoying the support of nearly one fourth of Lok Sabha MPs, formerChief Minister O Panneerselvam, who had revolted against the AIADMKleadership, said the peaceful struggle would continue and that he would emerge victorious.

Addressing his supporters, (who thronged his residence ever since hesaid he was forced to resign), minutes after Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao appointed Edappadi K Palaniswami as the new CM and invitedhim to form the next Government at the ‘earliest’, he said the strugglewould continue against the AIADMK Party being converted into the property of one family.

Ever since the power struggle within the ruling AIADMK started onFebruary seven, two days after AIADMK Chief VK Sasikala was elected as the Legislature Party leader to succeed him as CM, OPShad been claiming that he was confident of raking up enough numbersand that he would prove his strength in the State Assembly.

He received a shot in the arm with as many as 11 MPs, including nine Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha members, a Minister, someMLAs, AIADMK veterans and party heavyweights threw their weight behind him.

But his expectations of more MLAs switching loyalty to him from the Sasikala camp did not come through as they were shifted to a resort outside the city.