Updated

Chennai, Feb 7 (PTI): Soon after being removed from the post of AIADMK treasurer by party General Secretary VK Sasikala, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said none had the right to do so and rubbished her claims that DMK was behind his moves.

He said his next course of action would "reflect" the "aspirations" of AIADMK cadres and people of Tamil Nadu.

"No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago," he told reporters.

Panneerselvam said he had discharged his duties as party treasurer to the satisfaction of Jayalalithaa. "I have the fulfilment that I have done my job as treasurer fully to the satisfaction of Amma."

Panneerselvam dismissed AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala's charge that DMK was behind his revolt against the party leadership and said she has no powers to sack him as Treasurer.

"She should be asked to explain the basis of her charge. I was never cordial with DMK. A look back into the history will make it clear," he told Tamil TV channels after his last night's sudden revolt.

As the political drama unfolded, security at the Greenways Road residence of Panneerselvam was stepped up even as scores of supporters started thronging the area.

AIADMK MLAs, meanwhile, are meeting at the party headquarters to discuss the situation arising out of Panneerselvam's outburst.

"There is no relationship at all between me and the DMK. Its only the human approach to reciprocate when someone smiles at you. That is the difference between animals and humans," Panneerselvam said.

He was apparently referring to Sasikala last night pointing to the exchange of pleasantries between him and DMK Working President M K Stalin, the Leader of the opposition in the Assembly, during the recent session.

He also stuck to his charge that he was forced to resign from the post of Chief Minister, but declined to answer a question whether he would stake claim with the Governor to continue, saying "Just wait and watch."

"I don't want to go into it. I had already explained in detail at Amma's (Jayalalithaa) memorial the circumstances under which I was forced to resign," he said.

Elaborating on his contention that Sasikala had no powers to sack him from the party post, Panneerselvam said already there were legal problems facing the party.

He said General Secretary was elected on a temporary basis in view of the extraordinary situation faced by the party (after Jayalalithaa's demise).

"This is the party's norm. As per the party's constitution framed by founder M G Ramachandran at the time floating the AIADMK, legal sanction for the post will come only when all primary members elect the General Secretary. Such a General Secretary alone has the powers to appoint or remove party functionaries," he said.

On strong attack against him by AIADMK leaders, including his cabinet colleagues, Panneerselvam said it was a 'compulsion of time.'

"They can only speak like that when they are there (with Sasikala). They are in a state of mind of retaining their office for the next four years. They should act keeping in mind that they have to go back to the people," he said.

On the charge that he had betrayed the party high command, the senior leader said he resigned when he was forced only because he did not want the charge to fall on him.

Asked about allegations levelled against him by some of his opponents that BJP was behind him, Pannerselvam said, "They (his opponent) don't have any strong ground against me. They can't level any allegation against me."

Asked if he would launch a new party and if he would call on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, he said "please wait and see."

Earlier Report

Sasikala removes Panneerselvam from top AIADMK post

Chennai, Feb 8 (PTI): In a quick retaliation after he raised a banner of revolt against her, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala sacked O Panneerselvam from the top party post of treasurer.

She replaced Panneerselvam with Dindigul C Srinivasan, who is also the Forest Minister and is seen number two in the hierarchy in the Council of Ministers.

The decision to remove Panneerselvam comes after a top level meeting Sasikala chaired at the Poes Garden residence, in which some sitting ministers and a section of senior functionaries participated.

In a brief statement, Sasikala said "O Panneerselvam is being relieved from the post of AIADMK treasurer and Dindigul C Srinivasan is appointed to that post. Party cadres should extend their full cooperation to Srinivasan."

Meanwhile, supporters continued to throng the Greams Road official residence of Chief Minister Panneerselvam. Many broke into a jig and thanked him for "listening to his conscience and heeding to the call of the soul of Amma."

Party sources said that Panneerselvam would soon come out with a comprehensive plan of action that he will pursue.