In a day of rapid developments, first AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala loyalist and School education minister 'Ma Foi' K Pandiarajan came out in support of O Panneerselvam (OPS) today, after which C Ponnaian also jumped ship. Losing supporters, Sasikala then changed strategy and went and met the MLAs sequestered at a resort outside Chennai, after which news came out that she may pick a loyalist to replace her as legislature party leader. But this was rejected by senior leader KA Sengottaiyan, whose name was doing the rounds as a possible replacement.
Stating that she see the Governor's delay in swearing in the government as an act of splitting the AIADMK, Sasikala said the state would witness a new kind of protest tomorrow, wait and watch.
Here are the updates of the day as they happened.
LIVE UPDATES:
9: 59 pm: Another AIADMK MP joins the rebel O Paneerselvam faction. Thiruvannamali MP R. Vanaroja spotted at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneervelvam's residence. She says that "As per the wishes of the people, I'm here today, accepting his (OPS's) leadership."
9:25 pm: The much-awaited judgement of the Supreme Court in a disproportionate asset (DA) case in which late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and AIADMK leader V K Sasikala were accused, is not listed for pronouncement on Monday. The case was cited as a reason in a note that surfaced yesterday, purportedly sent by Governor Vidyasagar Rao but later denied, for the delay in the swearing in of the government in Tamil Nadu. Only if a government is first sworn in can a floor test be conducted.
8.50 pm: Amid the political uncertainty, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao here. In a press release, the Raj Bhavan described the meeting as a "courtesy call."
8:47 pm: AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala says, "I had a feeling of meeting family members at Kuvathoor; meeting with them was satisfactory." "I see the delay on the part of governor as act of splitting the party," she added.
8: 30 pm: Nagapattinam MLA Thameemun Ansari of the MJK (Manithaneya Makkal Katchi) to hear his constituency people for deciding to back either O Paneerselvam or the AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala.
8: 28 pm: KA Sengottaiyyan has rejected the rumours about AIADMK looking at alternate faces instead of VK Sasikala as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
8: 27 pm: Meanwhile, Chennai police has tightened up the overall security in the city amidst the developing political crisis.
7: 52 pm: Another AIADMK MP joins the OPS camp. This time, it is V Sathyabhama, the Lok Sabha MP from the Tirupur constituency. Reportedly, she too visited the Jaya Memorial at the Chennai's Marina Beach, before meeting with Chief Minister Paneerselvam.
7:47 pm: Meanwhile, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has left the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan after holding discussions with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.
READ: Sasikala wrote to the Tamil Nadu governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to seek an audience with him. In a letter to Rao, copies of which were issued to the media, Sasikala said acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has resigned from his post and the same was accepted by the Governor a week ago.
5:07 pm: One of key AIADMK spokespersons and super senior in the party, C Ponnaian, also a prominent face, switches loyalty now, joins OPS camp.
5:00 pm: Sources hint that Sasikala may step aside for a loyalist. Two names, K. A. Sengottaiyan and Edappadi K. Palanisamy, are doing the rounds for the chief minister's position.
4:05 pm: Sasikala begins her meeting with party MLAs at Kuvathoor.
2:23 pm: AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala leaves for Kuvathoor to meet party MLAs staying there.
1:55 pm: OPS will gain required strength before floor test: Ma Foi Pandiarajan.
1:50 pm: Reacting to DMK offering its support to OPS, Pandiarajan said that the Panneerselvam camp will not seek the opposition party's support.
1:40 pm: Amma has given me 1.5 crore party brothers and sisters. When they are with me, the sinister intentions of many will not harm me: Sasikala
1:15 pm: Pandiarajan joining our camp is a great sign and more ministers will soon switch sides: O Pannerselvam while welcoming him.
1:05 pm: Sasikala addresses the cadre, says "Jayalalithaa had protected party amid trials and tribulations and made it third largest party in Lok Sabha." She added, "We can be calm only upto some extent; after that we will do whatever is needed."
1:00 pm: AIADMK gen secy VK Sasikala is meeting party cadre at Poes Garden
12:47 pm: Sasikala appeals to Governor to protect democracy and the interest of the State, She also urged him to allow her to meet him by today along with the MLAs supporting her.
11: 15 am: Pandiarajan tweets creates flutter: Will surely listen to the collective voice of my voters.
11:10 am: AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala writes to Governor seeking audience with him.
(With inputs from agencies)