TN crisis: Development works halted, Governor must take steps, says Stalin

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Feb. 13 (ANI): Asserting that the current political stalemate caused due to infighting among the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIAMDK) has severely affected the development works in the state, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin on Monday urged Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao to take steps and ensure that a stable government is formed. "Due to the current political crisis various sections of the people are being adversely affected. Drought issue, farmer suicide cases are still to be addressed. Instead of addressing to these issues, a race to capture power is going on. Especially acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is only bothered to retain his post," Stalin said. Stalin also brushed aside allegations made by AIADMK general secretary V. K Sasikala stating that interim Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerslevam has the backing of the DMK Party. "I have reiterated that the AIADMK is our enemy and it will remain so. The AIADMK may be divided in two factions, but both factions represent AIADMK," he added. Meanwhile, the number of AIADMK MPs and MLAs joining Panneerselvam's camp has been on a constant rise. Panneerselvam as of now has the support of seven MLAs namely V. Maitreyan, K.P. Munusamy, K. Pandiarajan, Natham R. Viswanathan, P.H. Pandian, E. Madhusoodanan and C. Ponnaiyan. Earlier today, Sasikala declared that she is not scared of Panneerselvam or anybody who hatches a conspiracy to divide the party. "We have seen 1000 such 'Panneerselvams'. For the past 33 years, we (she and late J. Jayalalithaa) both have seen everything. So, I am not scared," Sasikala said while addressing the media outside her Poes Garden residence, hours after a caveat was filed in the Supreme Court by G.S. Mani, the advocating for Satta Panchayat Iyakkam. Sasikala and Panneerselvam have been in an overhaul ride to outwit each other in the political battle of Tamil Nadu's chair of power. "When Amma passed away, I came to know about a conspiracy being hatched to divide the party," she added while training her guns at Panneerselvam. Dubbing Panneerselvam as 'betrayer', Sasikala quipped, "His true colours can be seen now." (ANI)