Palanisamy stakes claim to form government in Tamil Nadu, SC conviction ends Sasikala bid
Meanwhile, the highway police have reportedly stopped O Panneerselvam's convoy from reaching the resort where the legislators supporting Sasikala are said to be holed up.
AIADMK supremo VK Sasikala, who was all geared up to take over as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and don the mantle of late J Jayalalithaa, has been convicted by the Supreme Court in corruption cases dating back to 1990s, ending her campaign for the coveted post.
In a later development, Deputy Speaker and a leading AIADMK member, M Thambidurai, who openly supported Sasikala during the recent Sasikala-Panneerselvam spat said they are likely to appeal against the verdict, media reported.
Following the top court's verdict, Sasikala will have to surrender to the police in Chennai and can be imprisoned for four years.
The Supreme Court said Sasikala has amassed illicit fortune.
Sasikala is accused of acquiring an illicit fortune worth about Rs. 60 crores with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the early 1990s.
Sasikala, who had a trouble-free appointment as the party head, was initially chosen by AIADMK early in February to be the state's chief minister, taking over from acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
The AIADMK party on Tuesday chose Edapadi K.Palanisamy as their new leader and also terminated O Panneerselvam's primary membership of the party.
In all, Sasikala has expelled 20 party members, media reports said on Tuesday.
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