We have no reason to get involved in AIADMK's internal politics: DMK

Chennai: Refuting the allegations levelled by VK Sasikala Natrajan of causing political rift in the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday said it functions as a responsible political party without getting involved into internal politics of any other party.

"The DMK has no need to get involved into inner party politics. It is completely chaotic and there is so much of uncertainty clouding the government of Tamil Nadu today," DMK leader Kanimozhi told ANI.

Seeking Tamil Nadu Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao's intervention into the matter, she further said that it was very shocking that interim Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam has to say that he was forced to resign.

Echoing similar sentiments, another DMK leader T. Shiva said: "In public he has said that he was forced to resign, when Chief Minister himself is in that position then you can just imagine what would be the condition of the common man in Tamil Nadu. For the past few months the government machinery is not at all working. The Governor has to see that the Constitution is enforced. Our party leader has made it clear that we just function as a responsible party."

Sasikala blamed the DMK for political crisis in AIADMK and also for the revolt being staged by Panneerselvam.

"The DMK is behind Panneerselvam. All our MLAs are together like one family. So, there is no problem," Sasikala said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the political crisis, Panneerselvam earlier in the day said there is a force behind everything that is happening in the state.

Issuing fresh allegations, Panneerselvam claimed he was never allowed to meet late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa even once when she was hospitalised.

Tamil Nadu politics witnessed a turn of events yesterday with Panneerselvam staging a major revolt against Sasikala, who has been elected as the legislature party leader.

Panneerselvam said he was forced to resign from the Chief Minister's post by the Sasikala camp which was however, denied by the AIADMK general secretary.

After consulting some of her party colleagues and Ministers at the Poes Garden residence, Sasikala announced the removal of Panneerselvam from the AIADMK treasurer post.

Panneerselvam, in a surprise move last night, went to the burial site of Jayalalithaa at Chennai's Marina Beach and told the media that after her demise, he was made to agree for Sasikala to the post of party general secretary.

However, Panneerselvam said he is ready to take back his resignation from the post of Chief Minister if the party cadres and the public want him to do so.
Governor Vidyasagar Rao has accepted the resignation of Panneerselvam.

However, he has asked him and his Cabinet to continue to discharge the duties till alternate arrangements are made.