Sasikala holds crucial discussions with party leaders

A day after staking claim to form government amidst a political turmoil in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala on Friday expressed confidence that Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao will "uphold the Constitution and democracy"..

She had crucial meetings with ministers, MPs and party seniors on the present political situation.

She asserted that neither that nor "Amma's government" will face the slightest of the setbacks.

"With the cooperation of all, this movement will further flourish, so we need not worry. We hope the Governor will uphold the Constitution and democracy. We will wait and watch," she said.

Most MLAs supporting Sasikala remained unreachable on Friday and were apparently tucked away in a resort on East Coast Road on the outskirts of Chennai. Some MLAs vehemently denied that they were being held captive.

In his report to the Centre on the rival claims of AIADMK factions, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has taken into account the Supreme Court judgment that Article 164 (4) is not a source of power or an enabling provision for appointment of a non-legislator as a Minister even for a short duration, sources said.