First Tears, Now 'Torture' In Tamil Nadu: Panneerselvam Attacks Sasikala

O.Panneerselvam has alleged that he was “tortured” by V.K. Sasikala and her family for 15 years, heightening drama surrounding the appointment of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, Panneerselvam said that Jayalalithaa was “never harsh” towards him and that she always supported him when he was pitted against the current AIADMK chief’s clan.

The 66-year-old also told the newspaper that he was being “very careful” in times when the possibility of a crisis could be on the horizon, calling the Sasikala crying episode as “shedding crocodile tears”.

“All of us know Amma expelled Sasikala in 2011 and took her back into the party in 2012. Amma called all ministers and told us that she has only taken into her residence and all others remain expelled from the AIADMK. But what is the situation today?” he reportedly asked.

The matter of a clear candidate for the top job in Tamil Nadu politics has been a bit of a drag recently. With the apex court refusing to hear the disproportionate assets case against Sasikala and her late mentor this week, a PIL in the matter of ‘missing MLAs will be heard though.

Sasikala has been waging a battle of attrition after desertion by 10 MPs to rival O Panneerselvam camp. , AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala trashed allegation they have been held "hostage" at a resort.

Panneerselvam, however, claimed the MLAs were held there against their will and "tortured" and sought their "release".

Addressing reporters at the resort, Sasikala alleged the MLAs have been receiving threats that their children will be abducted, but undeterred, they have chosen to stay there and asked their relatives to take care of them.

"It shows their dedication to this movement. I was moved.. They (all the MLAs) are keen that there should not be slightest impediment to AIADMK and the government," she said.

Alleging that those who had defected and political rivals were "spreading falsehood" that the MLAs were being held hostage, the AIADMK chief insisted that neither their free movement nor their freedom of expression had been hindered and asked the journalists to "see it for yourselves."

"They are in touch with their families over phone", she said.

Addressing the MLAs at the resort, which she visited for the second time in two days, Sasikala said,"You 129 MLAs are like an ocean. None can contain it by building a check dam. No efforts will destabilise this government. None can hurt us and there is no need to fear."

Sasikala, who had earlier in the day observed that it was "very difficult" to be a woman in politics, said there were efforts to "intimidate" her as she was a woman, but asserted she would not be cowed down.

The AIADMK supremo turned misty-eyed while referring to her mentor and former Chief Minister the late J Jayalalithaa and vowed to protect the party nurtured by her long-time friend, saying "I will give my life for this cause".

Panneerselvam hit out at Sasikala, saying she was shedding "crocodile tears" and demanded that they be "released".

"Let her release them so they could go to their respective consitutencies to meet the people and take a good decision," he told reporters after Sasikala's meeting with the legislators.

Calling himself a "staunch loyalist" of Jayalalithaa, he said "In the last 20 years not Amma (Jayalalithaa) criticised me not even once."

Earlier in the day, support grew Panneerselvam, locked in a bruising feud with Sasikala for power, with five more MPs crossing over to his camp.