Seeking President Pranab Mukherjee's interference, an online petition was filed stating that V. K. Sasikala should not sworn-in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The petition added that there are so many pending cases against Sasikala. The petition has gone viral with more than 1.64 lakh people signing it in just 36 hours.

The petition was filed on Change.Org Sunday evening. The website has been started by Tamil Arasan PSR. The petition has been addressed to the President of India, Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Election Commission of India.  

“With O. Paneerselvam becoming CM, TN people got some hope (that) things would be better for them as he actively coordinated for jallikattu issues. But the recent Sunday announcement of his stepping down as CM for giving way to Sasikala seems to be a conspiracy,” the petition said.

“Sasikala with many old money laundering cases should not be allowed to lead an Indian state. Moreover, she has no political experience and has been (the) reason (behind) many corruption activities while Jayalalithaa was CM,” the petition further reads.

The petition received 164,982 supporters within 36 hours of its launch.  Arasan, who launched the petition, says "state government should not use like anything by a particular group for their personal interest. Almost the entire Tamil Nadu public hate Sasikala from becoming their CM, she is not an elected person." He asked the President to intervene and “stop this stupid move”.

“Either OPS should continue as CM or the current government dissolved and reelection conducted,” the petition concluded. “I signed the petition because I feel Ms Sasikala does not deserve to be the Chief Minister. She was actively involved in corruption and had encouraged it. So I vent my feelings by signing the petition,” Santhosh Kumar, the software professional, said.

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BY M. DIVYA SRI