By the end of Day 7 of the Tamil Nadu political battle, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala decided to spend the night at Golden Bay resort in Koovathur, about 80 km from Chennai, where most of the party's MLAs are housed, even as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case is set to be pronounced by the Supreme Court tomorrow morning at 10.30 am. Sasikala had earlier, in a press conference at Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden, claimed that she had the support of 129 MLAs, and demanded that the Governor hold an early swearing-in ceremony. In the meantime, one of those MLAs, Madurai's SS Saravanan, jumped ship and joined the Panneerselvam camp.
Here are the updates as they happened:
9.10 pm: MLA Saravanan who jumped ship says he left the resort in disguise to leave undetected.
"Escaped #Koovathur Resort along ECR in disguise" : Madurai MLA Saravanan who joined #OPannerselvam camp @NewIndianXpress @gopumohan_TNIE
8.40 pm: Meanwhile, one more MLA has joined Panneerselvam's camp.
8.20 pm: A few days ago, O Pannerselvam had made a demand that Jayalithaa's residence, Veda Nilayam, at Poes Garden be turned into a memorial for the former chief minister. Jayalalithaa had bought the house in 1967. Sasikala moved in with her in 1987.
8.10 pm: Will beautify 'Amma' Jayalalithaa's memorial in an awe-inspiring manner, says Sasikala. MGR's Ramavaram residence too will be spruced up to mark his birth centenary year, she says. His 100th birth anniversary was celebrated last month, on January 17.
8.00 pm: MLAs are not being held captive, and it is free for all to see on TV. Panneerselvam's camp has been trying to file petitions to make it look as though the AIADMK MLAs are being confined against their will, said Sasikala.
7:50 pm: Will stay with MLAs tonight at Golden Bay resort in Koovathur: Sasikala
7:40 pm: Sasikala addresses the media, along with AIADMK MLAs from the resort in Koovathur. DMK is an expert in calculating things. When MGR passed away they did the same thing: Sasikala at Golden Bay resort - ANI
6:30 pm: The fate of Sasikala Natarajan, is likely to be decided tomorrow as the Supreme Court may deliver the much-awaited verdict in the disproportionate assets case involving her as an accused.
6:00 pm: Amid allegations of illegal detention, 119 pro-Sasikala MLAs inform Madras High Court in writing that they were staying on their "own volition" - (PTI)
5:55 pm: We are not supporting any faction, AIADMK is our opponent and we oppose them as a whole. We will only comment on the disproportionate assets (DA) case once it is out, can't comment right now: MK Stalin - (ANI)
5:50 pm: VK Sasikala is back at the resort in Kovathoor where AIADMK MLAs are lodged - (ANI)
5:45 pm: Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi suggests Governor to convene Assembly for floor test.
5:40 pm: Attorney General suggests Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao to convene state Assembly within a week for floor test to decide if Chief Minister Panneerselvam or AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala has the majority. (PTI)
5: 16 pm: News coming from the opposition camp, with DMK high-level committee meeting underway to discuss strategy on Tamil Nadu political situation.
4: 55 pm: Amidst the ongoing political crisis in the state, the top cops, including the South Chennai Additional Commissioner Shankar, to review the security arrangements around Chief Minister OPS' residence on Greenaway's Road.
4:52 pm: AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala to hold discussions with party MLAs at a resort near Chennai. Its her third visit to them for a third consecutive day. (PTI)
2:50 pm: Betrayer Panneerselvam's true colours can be seen now: VKSasikala addressing supporters gathered outside Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
2:44 pm: Betrayer Panneerselvam's true colours can be seen now: #VKSasikala addressing supporters gathered outside Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
2:30 pm: Attempts to divide AIADMK will not succeed, says Sasikala.
“People are trying to divide the organisation, I won't let this happen. When Amma passed away, I came to know about conspiracy being hatched to divide the party. When I was in pain, for the party's future I stood firm on my stand. All of you must know what is the truth,” V K Sasikala said.
She further said that Panneerselvam asked her to take charge then, but she couldn't at this juncture, and therefore Panneerselvam was given the responsibility.
"We have seen 1000 such 'Panneerselvams'. For the past 33 years, we both have seen everything. So I am not scared," she said.