Sasikala parades MLAs before media

Rushing to the resort, which has been cordoned off by a large posse of party men, for the second day amid rumours that caretaker Chief Minister O Pannerselvam might visit the MLAs in the afternoon, a belligerent Sasikala held another elaborate discussion with restless MLAs and told media persons, “No MLA has been kept captive. They are contacting their families over phone. You (media) can see for yourself as to how free they are and how they have been allowed to voice their views to the media,” as legislators flanking her, ostensibly, applauded in animated excitement.

Accusing the rebel camp of intimidating her MLAs, Sasikala said, “A few MLAs have daughters. They told me that some people had even threatened them that they will kidnap their daughters. The MLAs have asked their relatives to protect their children.” 

Attributing the threats allegedly received by her party MLAs, who have been staying at a private resort in Koovathur for the past few days, to her political enemies, Sasikala said, “Some people who left from here and our political enemies are spreading falsehood about us. Our MLAs are aware of it. I hope you (media) understand that it is not true. Our MLAs are united and they are very particular that no disrepute should be brought to this govt,” she said, advising media persons to do a head count when they asked her to quantify her support. 

Addressing her cadre after the media briefing, she swore to sacrifice her life to protect the party and said, “We should take an oath to form AIADMK government. We should form the government and open the portrait of Jayalalithaa in the Assembly. Even our party members who have left us are trying to prevent us from doing that. We should demonstrate our loyalty to Amma (Jayalalithaa) by unveiling her portrait in the House. No one can shake the AIADMK regime. Panneerselvam is trying to split the party. I will not retract. I will achieve anything with your (MLAs) support. I will defeat traitors and their conspiracies.” 

Reacting to a pointed query on whether she was aware of reason for the delay in ordering the floor test, a reticent CM designate who said, “Everyone knows the reason for the delay,” later told her cadres that they were facing obstacles from Chennai to Delhi in forming government. 

Earlier during the day, playing the gender card Sasikala said that it was difficult for a woman to survive in politics. “I’ve seen this from Amma’s times,” she said. Sasikala also pointed out that a letter that was being circulated in social media circles claiming that she would commit suicide addressed to the Governor was fake. Displaying copies of the letter to the media, she said, “It is a conspiracy to divide the party.”

Meanwhile, a party release said that the AIADMK general secretary wished the TN governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on his 76th birthday and prayed for his long life.