Sasikala Likely to go on a Hunger Strike

Sasikala may go on a hunger strike to protest against the Governor’s delay in appointing her as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala has taken over from O Paneerselvam for the post of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and was to be sworn in on February 9. But the Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao is reluctant to swear her in as Chief Minister.

The Governor is awaiting a verdict on Sasikala’s 58 crore disproportionate assets case in the Supreme Court. The order is expected next week.

She had asked for an appointment with the governor on Sunday morning, but sources say she was not given one.

Reports say that if the Governor does not invite her to form a government she may lead a hunger strike at Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai today.

On Saturday, after meeting with 127 legislators, she had said “The attempt to take time, it appears, is an attempt to create a split in the party. We would protest in a different way tomorrow."

Many legislators have switched to the O Paneerselvam camp has launched an online campaign against Sasikala, and the Sasikala camp is worried that they will not be able to prove a 118-member majority in the House. If a dozen more MLAs go to the Paneerselvam camp, this may be the case.

Sasikala was a close friend to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa but never had a formal position in the party, till Jayalalithaa's death.

Also Read: Who is Sasikala?