Tamil Nadu Governor studying situation: Naidu

Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Wednesday that Tamil Nadu acting Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao was studying the situation in the state following divisions in the ruling AIADMK.

"The Governor is studying the situation," Naidu told media persons here.

Naidu said the Centre has no role to play in the internal developments of AIADMK and he did not want to make comments on it.

The AIADMK is in the middle of a storm after V.K. Sasikala was chosen to replace O. Panneerselvam as the new Chief Minister, triggering a rebellion. Panneerselvam alleged on Tuesday night that he was forced to resign as the Chief Minister by V.K. Sasikala -- a long-time confidante of J. Jayalalithaa.

Sasikala on Wednesday accused Panneerselvam, acting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, of "betrayal".

Official sources said in Mumbai that Vidyasagar Rao, the Maharashtra Governor who has additional charge of Tamil Nadu, has not finalised plans to go to Chennai.

They said Rao would be busy with official commitments till late on Wednesday evening and there is no word when he is likely to proceed to Chennai.

The Congress party has accused the central government of using the Governor to try and topple the AIADMK government in the state.

Party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said people's mandate should not be ignored and "one can't bring down the government in a state using the Governor as a puppet".

Party leader Digvijay Singh said the Governor was not fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities.