Tamil Nadu crisis: Governor asks Palanisamy, OPS to come up with names of supporters

Following AIADMK chief Sasikala’s conviction, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today asked both Palanisamy and Panneerselvam to come up with their list of supporters in their bid to become the next chief minister.

Highly-placed sources have said that if Palanisamy is able to present a list of more than 118 supporters, he will be sworn in as the CM. Once sworn-in, Palanisamy will have to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

Similarly, Panneerselvam will also be submit the list of people who are backing him. The decision of the governor will depend on who of the two can get the required number of supporters.

Sources who are looking closely at the unfolding political situation in Tamil Nadu have indicated to India Today that the composite floor test option has now being pushed to the back burner by the Governor.

The most likely possibility is that Governor Rao will invite Sasikala’s loyalist Palanisamy to take oath and then prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly.

The reason for the delay seems to be that the AIADMK has so far submitted a resolution declaring that Palanisamy was being made the new leader of the legislature party. But this resolution apparently does not have the signatures of all the MLAs.

The Governor has asked for the signatures of all the MLAs who are supporting Palanisamy. He has said a resolution without the signatures of the MLAs did not suffice.