In pics: Tamil Nadu political thriller starring O Panneerselvam, VK Sasikala

Tamil Nadu’s caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam revolted against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala on Tuesday, saying he was forced to resign from the position due to pressure from party cadres.

Tamil Nadu’s caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam revolted against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala on Tuesday, saying he was forced to resign from the position due to pressure from party cadres.

Combination image of VK Sasikala and O Panneerselvam. (Agencies File Photo)

From holding the seat faithfully for late chief minister J Jayalalithaa to “fighting” for Amma’s values, here’s how the political drama in Tamil Nadu has played out: 

Read | Stealth and strategy: How VK Sasikala plotted her way to the top of Tamil Nadu politics

September 2001

AIADMK comes to power with a mega alliance but Jayalalithaa is barred from contesting by the Election Commission due to pending corruption cases against her. The party still appoints her as CM, only to have her unseated by a Supreme Court order.

O Paneerselvam warms the CM seat, awaiting her return.

O Panneerselvam took charge as the chief-minister after Jayalalithaa is unseated by the Supreme Court. (Vipin Kumar/HT File Photo)

December 17, 2011

Jayalalithaa ousts her close aide Sasikala from party and her residence for the second time. Sasikala is later reinstated after writing an apology letter.

Read | From a shop owner to Tamil Nadu CM, quite a journey for ‘Chinnamma’ Sasikala

Jayalalithaa along with her close aide Sasikala Natarajan. (PTI File Photo)

September 27, 2014

O Paneerselvam again takes Jayalalithaa’s place ‘temporarily’ as she spends a month in prison and gets bail after a court convicted her in the disproportionate assets case.

2016

AIADMK roars back to power for a consecutive second term in the state.

September 22, 2016

Jayalalithaa admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai after suffering from fever and dehydration.

Read | Tamil Nadu governor allocates portfolios held by Jaya to Paneerselvam

An ambulance is seen outside a hospital where Jayalalitha was being treated in Chennai, on September 30, 2016. (AFP Photo)

December 05, 2016

After 74 days of hospitalisation, Tamil Nadu’s Iron Lady Jayalalithaa Jayaraman dies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi consoles O Panneerselvam while paying his last respects to Jayaram Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai. Sasikala (right) looks on. (PTI Photo)

Panneerselvam, 66, takes oath for the third time on the night Apollo Hospital announced Jayalalithaa’s death.

Panneerselvam takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM after Jayalalithaa’s death. (ANI Photo)

February 5, 2017

Panneerselvam resigns, citing “personal reasons” after AIADMK chief Sasikala is elected the legislature party leader. The move clears the decks for VK Sasikla to take over the top post.

Governor Vidyasagar Rao asks OPS and his cabinet to function until Sasikala is sworn-in.

Panneerselvam and AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala at the party MLA's meeting in which she was elected as AIADMK legislative party leader, set to become Tamil Nadu CM, in Chennai. (PTI Photo)

February 7, 2017

Paneerselvam spends about half an hour in apparent mediation before claiming that ‘Amma’s’ spirit had spoken to him. He later addresses media, saying he wanted to “clear his conscience” and “reveal certain truths” about being forced to resign.

O Panneerselvam meditates in front of late J Jayalalithaa's burial site at the Marina Beach in Chennai. (PTI Photo)

In response, Sasikala sacks Panneerselvam as the AIADMK treasurer after convening an emergency meeting with party leaders at Poes Garden, her official residence.

February 8, 2017

OPS drops another bombshell, announcing an inquiry into the death of late CM J Jayalalithaa, saying doubts prevailed over her health condition.

O Panneerselvam addresses media after meditating in front of Jayalalithaa's burial site. (PTI Photo)