Disqualified MLAs listen to Sasi’s pep talk, TTV updates her on I-T raids

“She also gave a pep talk and chided a few for not taking a united stand on the 18 MLAs case,” an informed AMMK source told DT Next. “Political decisions and media interactions have to be uniform,” the source said quoting Sasikala.

RK Nagar MLA and AMMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran accompanied the former legislators. The disqualified MLAs, who accompanied Dhinakaran, included Thangatamilselvan, (Andipatti), Mariappan Kennedy (Manamadurai), Kadhirkamu (Periyakulam) and K Uma Maheswari (Vilatthikulam). Former minister P Palaniappan and Karnataka AIADMK secretary Pughazenthi also took part in the discussion.

After interacting with AMMK functionaries, Sasikala spoke to TTV Dhinakaran for some time. The AMMK chief was also updated about the ongoing I-T probe against Health Minister Vijaya Baskar and his aides.

Most of the disqualified MLAs were glad after the interaction. A few disqualified MLAs also discussed the status of upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The decision of not appealing in the Supreme Court against the 18 MLAs disqualification case was also discussed, the source added.

This is the first meetingof these MLAs with Sasikala, after Karur strongman Senthil Balaji joined the DMK last week. Sasikala was also questioned by theI-T department last week in connection with I-T raids at Poes Garden, the official residence of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, where Sasikala stayed.