Flanked by Kavundampalayam MLA V.C. Aaru kutty and Rajya Sabha MP Maitreyan, the outgoing Tamil Nadu chief minister O Paneerselvam today addressed the media.
He said he will withdraw his resignation, if given an opportunity to do so and the MLAs will prove their support in the Assembly. I'm merely following the footsteps of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and I never went against her wishes. It is a lie to say the BJP is behind all this.
He says a judicial inquiry will be instituted into Jayalalithaa's death.
"As per party bylaws a general secretary can be elected only by its cadres through ballots. And, only in extraordinary situations a person can be appointed in the interim. Soon, a general body meeting should be convened to elect a permanent general secretary."
"I will meet the people in every nook and corner. I will accept Deepa's [Jayalalithaa's niece ]support, if offered."
He says he will meet the Governor soon and Speaker alone can convene the Assembly session.
Meanwhile, other leaders, including former Speaker P.H. Pandian, his son and former Rajya Sabha MP P.H. Paul Manoj Pandian, have come to Panneerselvam's house.
Former Minister K.P. Munusamy, who was the first to speak out against Ms. Sasikala, was also seen next to Panneerselvam.
"My appeal to all MLAs is that they should take a firm decision taking into account the feelings of the people in their constituencies," Panneerselvam said.
(This news report was first published in The Hindu online edition)