TTV Dhinakaran, deputy general secretary of AIADMK (Amma), met Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday and sought the removal of both Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
He had lost confidence in the Chief Minister, Dhinakaran said, urging the Governor to remove Palaniswami from office.
Talking to newspersons outside his residence after meeting the Governor, Dhinakaran said Palaniswami has no majority at present, and should prove his majority in the House. Nineteen MLAs recently gave letters to the Governor, stating that they had lost confidence in Palaniswami and wanted him to be removed from office.
Rao told him he continues to monitor the situation and will take a decision soon, said Dhinakaran.
Cumbam MLA STK Jakkaiyan meanwhile switched loyalty and joined Palaniswami’s camp. When asked about this, Dhinakaran said he acted under pressure.
Three MLAs — actor S Karunaas, who won the Assembly election on an AIADMK ticket from Thiruvadanai constituency, EA Rathinasabapathy (Aranthangi constituency) and VT Kalaiselvan (Vridachalam) — have extended their support to Dhinakaran, and even accompanied him to the Raj Bhavan.