‘MLAs shifted in groups to other resorts’
In the backdrop of more AIADMK MPs, MLAs and party functionaries switching allegiance to caretaker CM OPS, it is said that remaining MLAs camped at a private resort in Koovathur on ECR in support of party gen sec VK Sasikala have been split into a number of groups and taken to other places. 22 MLAs were shifted to Bengaluru on Sunday, said a source close to a state Minister, who is in Sasi’s camp
By : migrator
Update: 2017-02-12 19:33 GMT
Chennai
Speaking to DTNext, the source said that the step has been taken as “opposite camp continues to woo the MLAs”. “For every six to seven MLAs, a Minister has been made incharge,” the source added.
While 22 MLAs have been moved out to Bengaluru, a batch of seven MLAs have been shifted to a farm house on ECR itself. “At present, only around 20 MLAs are present at the private resort at Koovathur,” the source said.
It is said that after a former minister jumped to Panneerselvam camp, it has become a tug-of-war between him and another minister from the same constituency to prove their influence among the MLAs.
The source also claimed that horse trading is going on actively in both the camps and added that a relative of a sand mining baron from a southern district had offered Rs 25 crore for a Minister also from a southern district to join Panneerselvam’s camp. “But he is still reluctant,” the source said.
Meanwhile, BJP’s state unit on Sunday said that Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao should order a probe into O Panneerselvam’s allegation that he was forced to resign even as it questioned the “necessity” of keeping AIADMK MLAs supporting VK Sasikala in “one particular place”.
BJP’s state unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan said bringing MLAs under one roof and making them stay in one place is against democracy. “Why are all legislators (of AIADMK supporting VK Sasikala) staying in one particular place? What is the necessity for that?,” she asked.
Sasi removes Villupuram MP from party
(R Lakshmanan, C Ve Shanmugham)
Acting tough against the detractors, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala on Sunday sacked Rajya Sabha member Dr R Lakshmanan from the post of Party’s Villupuram north district secretary and appointed Minister for Law, Courts and Prisons C Ve Shanmugham in his place. In a statement here, she appealed to the party cadre to extend their full support to Shanmugam. Though no reason was assigned, it was believed that Dr Lakshmanan was removed after he met the rival camp headed by caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and pledged his support.
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