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Tamil Nadu: Sasikala likely to take oath as CM on 9 February

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 5:41 IST

V.K. Sasikala is likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on February 9.

On Sunday, she was unanimously elected as the leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) legislature party.

The AIADMK said that it was unwise for the party and government to have different power centres in the state and therefore, vociferously demanded Sasikala's elevation and O. Panneerselvam's removal.

Panneerselvam, the current incumbent of the post who proposed Sasikala's name at the party's internal meeting yesterday afternoon, announced his resignation soon after citing personal reasons.

Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of the state, on 6 February accepted the resignation of Panneerselvam, clearing the decks for V K Sasikla to take over the top post.

"I hereby accept your resignation and the resignation of your Council of Ministers tendered vide your letter dated February 5, 2017," Rao told Panneerselvam.

After being elected, Sasikala expressed her gratitude to the elected representatives and party workers for "shattering the dreams of rivals who wanted to see the party split."

She praised Panneerselvam who, she said, stood loyal whenever the party faced tough times and when there were difficulties in Jayalalithaa continuing as the chief minister.

She will now meet Governor Vidyasagar Rao to stake her claim to form the government.

Meanwhile, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader T.K.S. Elangovan said, "No party can go against wishes of the people. The MLAs might have chosen Sasikala, whether the people will accept her as the Chief Minister has to be seen. The future of Tamil Nadu has spoiled since 2011 when the AIADMK came to power."

--With ANI inputs

First published: 6 February 2017, 3:05 IST