Latest developments in Tamil Nadu politics—in quotes 

“I was called to the meeting about which I did not even know. I went to Chinamma (Sasikala) and they asked me to resign to make Sasikala the CM. I asked them what’s the necessity for an MLAs’ meeting. They said both the positions of party general secretary and the CM should be with one person. For two hours they tried to convince me. But I asked them whether it is fair to ask me to resign after having elected me the leader of the AIADMK legislature party, which I did not want in the first place. Still, I tolerated all the insult just to maintain party discipline. At that stage, they forced me, saying you should follow party discipline. I resigned because I was forced to.”

“DMK is behind Panneerselvam...the reason is that in the recent Assembly session the Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition were looking at each other and laughing together.”

“There are widespread doubts on Amma’s health among people. It is the responsibility of a government to clear those doubts. An inquiry commission will be recommended to be set up under a sitting supreme court judge (to probe the matter).”

“Neither AIADMK nor me will be cowed down.”

“Unable to become Chief Minister through a short cut, she has made a fake allegation against DMK just to find a way out of the problems. DMK is not responsible for the political bickerings and internal squabbles of AIADMK. Don’t point fingers at DMK, if you can’t respond to Panneerselvam’s charges.”

“I don’t want to comment on what is happening internally in AIADMK. And Centre and BJP doesn’t have any role in it. Secondly, the allegations against the Governor too are wrong. He will take the right decision at the right time in line with the Constitution and after seeking opinion of legal experts.”

“For past two months, (those) who are opposing (Sasikala’s elevation) are being attacked brutally. Their autocratic and arrogant behaviour...everybody is watching in the state. When Madam (Jayalalithaa) was in hospital, had she preferred, she should have made Sasikala the CM. Why O Pannerselvam was made interim CM? She could have selected her at that time itself? She has not been allowed to become an MLA in the past 20 years. If she really liked this lady, Madam would have given a small party or government post to her. The Prime Minister should take immediate action and give hope to the people. Tamil Nadu people are very sensitive. You might have seen that in the Jallikattu issue.”

“He [Governor C Vidyasagar Rao] can check if the signatures affixed by MLAs voicing support for Sasikala was out of their own volition.”

“The resignation of Chief Minister Pannnerselvam and also of IAS officers do not reflect good governance by ruling AIADMK. None but ruling AIADMK is responsible for the present confusion. The Governor will do his duty. We have to wait and see the actions of Deepa” (Jayalalithaa’s neice).”

“So far, we have no information on whether the Governor [C Vidyasagar Rao] has any travel plans today for Chennai or Delhi.”

“It is a very sad day for Tamil Nadu, people never wanted it, it is not the person people voted for, I think everybody knows that.”

“I found Sasikala wearing a jacket of James Bond and leading a procession of her family on the corridors. They had no tears and no wails” [after J Jayalalthaa’s death]

“Why is [Pandian] creating a scene now? What was he doing during those 60 days (since Jayalalithaa’s death)?”

“Not only the ruling party cadres, but all the people in Tamil Nadu have not accepted AIADMK supremo Sasikala trying to become Chief Minister. Sasikala is trying to become Chief Minister through the backdoor using the demise of Jayalalithaa and by doing so she has done an unpardonable betrayal of people who voted for Jayalalithaa.”

“All the MLAs are united, all the legislators are inside. In Tamil Nadu, AIADMK will continue its rule for the remaining four-and-a-half years.”

“For 75 days I went to the hospital. But I could not meet her even once. Even my family members used to ask me every day whether I met Amma. At one stage, I even thought of lying that I had met her. But I did not do so.”

I have been raising my voice about the mysterious surroundings. No explanation was given about treatment procedures, this cannot be accepted. Who gave the authorisation (for treatment)? I have been asking explanation from the beginning on the kind of treatment given...I am not asking it all of a sudden.”