Chennai: O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday said he was first manipulated into accepting the post of Chief Minister despite his reluctance and was “insulted and humiliated” at every stage by his own cabinet colleagues and senior leaders like M. Thambidurai and K. Sengottaiyan who questioned his position by propping up Sasikala's name every time.
Dropping bombshells after bombshells at the memorial of late J. Jayalalithaa at the Marina beach here, Mr Panneerselvam traced the events that led him to “speak his conscience out” because he wanted to protect the party, which should be headed by someone who is “acceptable to all.”
At around 9 pm, the Chief Minister arrived at the Marina beach and was seen meditating for more than 40 minutes after which he spoke to the waiting media. Beginning with how he was manipulated into believing that he would be the Chief Minister, while party presidium chairman E. Madhusudhanan will be the general secretary after the death of J. Jayalalithaa.
“I told them I was happy to have stepped aside for Amma when she was alive. I told them they could appoint whomever they want. I accepted the post only after they told me if I don't accept it will bring disrepute to the party,” the Chief Minister told the impromptu press conference.
However, the senior AIADMK leader said, two days after he was sworn-in as the chief minister, Health minister C. Vijayabhaskar came to him and told that Dhivakaran (Sasikala's brother) wanted her to be made the general secretary of the party, else they were planning to take her to her home town.
When most of the cabinet colleagues spoke in the same vain, Mr Panneerselvam said he also decided to back her as the head of the party. “When the Government of Hon'ble Amma (headed by him) did good work in the aftermath of Cyclone Vardah, it caused heartburn to some. Likewise, I went to New Delhi to ensure that an ordinance is brought to ensure conduct of jallikattu. But, AIADMK MPs led by M. Thambidurai also went to meet Prime Minister. I felt humiliated,” he said.
After the general council meet where Mrs Sasikala was elected as general secretary, Mr Panneerselvam said he began working with “utmost dedication to fulfill Amma's dreams” but revenue minister R. B. Uthayakumar spoke against my leadership and said “Chinamma” should take over as CM. “I protested against the move to Chinamma and I was told this would not happen again. But this continued with Sellur K. Raju (cooperatives minister) also making the same demand.”
“I don't know why I was humiliated and insulted at every stage? I don't have answers for that,” he said and claimed he was not aware of the MLAs meeting that was convened. After the MLAs had assembled at the party headquarters, Mr Panneerselvam said he was forced into give his consent for his resignation as Ms Sasikala “pleaded with him with folded hands” to make way for her and later said “if I don't agree it would amount to rebelling against the party.”
Questioning the move to replace him, the Chief Minister said, “I want to know what was the need for a change in the leadership. There was no need and I was upset with this decision. I was forced into giving my resignation,” he said.
