A day after a political tsunami triggered by open revolt by caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam struck Tamil Nadu, the State witnessed hectic parleys in the AIADMK throughout Wednesday as all but two of the 133 AIADMK MlAs assembled at the party headquarters and pledged allegiance to party general secretary VK Sasikala, who lambasted Panneerselvam for conspiring with the DMK to weaken the AIADMK.

Though his official residence was bereft of any MlAs or party office-bearers, Panneerselvam said he was confident of proving majority in the Assembly. If required, he will withdraw his resignation, he said and added his strength will come to be known in the state Assembly.

Rubbishing Sasikala’s claims that the DMK was behind his moves, Panneerselvam said his next course of action would “reflect” the “aspirations” of AIADMK cadre and people of Tamil Nadu. On his removal as party treasurer by Sasikala, he said, “No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago.”

The Election Commission also backed Panneerselvam’s assertion and cited AIADMK’s rules which stated that the interim general secretary cannot sack Panneerselvam from party post.

However, as Panneerselvam Tuesday night’s revolt has not done any worthwhile collateral damage to the prospects of Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister, the political impasse in the southern State is expected to blow over within the next two days with the arrival of Governor C Vidhyasagar Rao to Chennai on Thursday. Sources in the Raj Bhavan said the Governor is expected in Chennai by Thursday noon. This means the process of swearing-in of Sasikala would set in motion by Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day after a show of strength at the AIADMK headquarters, the party general secretary in a short speech lambasted Panneerselvam for conspiring with the DMK to weaken the AIADMK in the State. She refuted the claims made by Panneerselvam that he was forced to resign to facilitate her coronation as the Chief Minister.

“We have sufficient evidence, which proves that Panneerselvam conspired with the DMK to betray us. Whoever conspires against the AIADMK would pay the price for it,” said Sasikala. She also alleged that Panneerselvam was seen smiling at DMK leader MK Stalin and deputy leader Durai Murugan whenever they spoke in the legislative Assembly. “Should one need more proof for the conspiracy being hatched by themIJ” she asked.

She asserted that all the party MlAs were with her and hence there is “no problem” in her becoming the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

“All the MlAs are there like a single family, so there is no problem,” she told reporters at a crowded Press meet.

After the 40 minutes long meeting at the AIADMK headquarters, all the 131 MlAs were herded into three luxury buses and ferried to an unknown destination to ensure that there is no kind of poaching from the Opposition camps.

Amid reports that the Governor was waiting for the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on the appeal filed by the Karnataka Government challenging the Karnataka High Court order acquitting Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Elavarasi and Sudhakaran in the disproportionate asset case, sources close to the AIADMK leadership said the party has an alternate plan in place if the apex court quashes the HC verdict.

TTV Dhivakaran, nephew of Sasikala, would be elected as the leader of the AIADMK legislature party if Sasikala stands convicted in the case.

Meanwhile, a team of AIADMK MPs led by Deputy Speaker of the lok Sabha Thambi Durai is leaving for New Delhi late night for a meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee for submitting a complaint against the Governor for his alleged delaying tactics in swearing-in Sasikala as Chief Minister.

At his official residence, Panneerselvam was joined by Paul Pandian, who on Tuesday morning had indirectly blamed Sasikala and her family for the death of Jayalalithaa. Dr V Mythreyan, the Rajya Sabna member of the AIADMK joined them later. Reacting to the reference made by Paul Pandian on Tuesday that there was suspicion in the minds of people about the death of Jayalalithaa, the caretaker Chief Minister said a retired High Court judge would probe the whole issue.

Referring to Sasikala’s charge that he was seen smiling at DMK leaders in the Assembly, Panneerselvam said, “There is only one difference between animals and humans. While animals can’t smile, humans can. Is it such a crime to smileIJ” The Chief Minister also expressed his willingness to accept Deepa Jayakumar, niece of late Jayalalithaa into his fold. 

Dr Mythreyan said there may be no MlAs with Panneerselvam as on Wednesday. “But there will be huge changes when it is time to seek the vote of confidence. We are confident that MlAs will join us when it is time to prove the majority in the House. We do not believe in keeping the MlAs as prisoners in party office or in hotels,” said Mythreyan.