Pannerselvam's suggestion smells of political strategy: BJP

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Feb. 10 (ANI): Amid the bitter power tussle between the incumbent Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) general secretary V.K. Sasikala, the former said he wished to convert late J. Jayalalithaa's residence to a 'memorial'. Reacting to the development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said his suggestion smelled of some kind of a political strategy. "Clearly, Mr. Pannerselvam suggesting that Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence should be turned into a memorial smells some kind of a political strategy because Sasikala is using it as her office. But, this is an internal issue of the people, who are following the legacy of late Jayalalithaa," BJP leader Shaina NC said. "Whether it is Pannerselvam or Sasikala, it is the internal matter of the legislators to decide who the natural leader should be, who the heir to J. Jayalalithaa should be. The Governor has to work within the purview of law and in keeping with all the legal provisions and then take a decision which is in the interest of all and most importantly, in the interest of the people of Tamil Nadu," she added. Earlier, in a major turn of events, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary V.K. Sasikala Natarajan on Thursday staked her claim to form government. The AIADMK informed the decision on Twitter. "Chinnamma stakes claim to form Government," the tweet read. Sasikala had visited former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina beach. Prior to this, she had met the Tamil Nadu Governor. Sasikala also carried along with her letter of support claiming majority. She was accompanied by five senior AIADMK leaders. The Governor also met Panneerselvam. (ANI)