Tamil Nadu’s Political Jallikattu: Latest Updates

As Tamil Nadu drama gets murkier and murkier, Governor Vidyasagar Rao, who holds the key to future politics in Tamil Nadu, has arrived in Chennai. Here are the major developments on Thursday:

• Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao leaves Maharashtra Raj Bhavan at 12.10 pm and took 1.25 pm Jet Airways flight to Chenniai. Rao had kept away from Chennai for the last three days amid a bitter war of words between Sasikala and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
• In an assertion of his authority, O Paneerselvam decides to go to the airport to receive the Governor in his capacity as the chief minister. Paneerselvam looks assertive and confident. Crowds milling at his residence in his support. He also said the Poes Garden residence of the Jayalalithaa will be converted into a memorial.
• In a major development, AIADMK presidium chairman E Madhusudanan crosses over to Paneerselvam. Panneerselvam welcomed to his camp Madhusudanan, who said his conscience told him to join hands with Panneerselvam.
• In a psychological blow, Paneerselvam leaks Sasikala’s letter of apology to Jayalalithaa, saying she would not indulge in politics and would only serve the Purutchi Thalaivi.
• Trouble in Sasikala camp as several MLAs appear to be deserting him. There are reports that they are uncertain about Sasikala's future as the Supreme Court had recently indicated that it could deliver a judgement soon in a disproportionate assets case against Sasikala, who became general secretary of AIADMK after the death of Jayalalithaa. A conviction after being sworn-in could result in Sasikala having to step down as chief minister.
• One MLA's husband files a habeas carpus petition seeking to know the whereabouts of his wife, who he says has been illegally confined by Sasikala Group.
• Governor gives appointment to Paneerselvam at 5.30 pm and to Sasikala at 7.30 pm. The Raj Bhavan has indicated that only Sasikala, not the MLAs backing her, will meet him.