Twitter
Advertisement

Sasikala Natarajan's journey from Jayalalithaa's 'soul sister' to Tamil Nadu CM

Sasikala Natarajan was appointed as AIADMK Legislative party leader on Sunday.

Latest News
article-main
AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala flashes a victory sign
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The political tussle in AIADMK has taken a fresh turn with 'Chinnamma' Sasikala all set to take over Jayalalithaa's legacy. The party on Sunday announced that they had elected Sasikala as the Legislative party leader. According to sources, she will be sworn in as Chief Minister on February 7. Sasikala has claimed that CM O Panneerselvam had urged her to take over the mantle of the party and Tamil Nadu. 

Here's how Sasikala reached the top after years of being known as Jayalalithaa's 'soul sister':

1. After Amma's death on 5 December last year, parallels were drawn between Jayalalithaa and Sasikala as to how they were close to the then party head when the leader died. Just like Jayalalithaa was seen closest to MGR when he died, so was Sasikala during Jayalalithaa's death.

2. Breaking away from traditions, it was Sasikala who conducted the last rites of Amma along with Deepak Jayakumar, rather than a blood relative of Jayalalithaa.

3. After Jaya's death, Sasikala, who was always seen as a close aide and power centre in AIADMK, had been taking care of party affairs, although she never held any formal position in the party before Jayalalithaa'a death. 

4. Four state ministers had urged that Sasikala take over the affairs of the party. A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of Tirunelveli Urban Jaya Peravai (Forum), led by state AIADMK secretary and revenue minister RB Udhayakumar on December 17. On the basis of which she was nominated the General Secretary of AIADMK on December 29, and took over the position on December 31.

5. Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar had made it clear that she cannot accept Sasikala as AIADMK General Secretary and may float a new political party.

6. Former AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa has filed a case against 'Chinnamma' in the Madras High Court, saying it was wrong to nominate her as the party's general secretary since she was expelled by Jayalalithaa for conspiring against her and trying to kill her. 

7. After taking over the position of General Secretary, Sasikala appointed senior leaders including some former Ministers and a former Mayor to various key positions. Former Ministers KA Sengottaiyan, S Gokula Indira and B  Ramana, besides ex-Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy were made the AIADMK's Organisation Secretaries. The appointments also included that of Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar to a key party post. She had also announced removal of Ambattur MLA V Alexander as AIADMK's MGR Youth Wing Secretary.

8. On January 6, Madras High Court imposed a penalty of Rs 28 crore on Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran.

9. During the Jallikattu row in Tamil Nadu, Sasikala wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking promulgation of an ordinance for conduct of the bull taming sport, noting that the ban on it had caused "resentment" in the state.

10.  Jayalalithaa's trusted aides Sheela Balakrishnan, KN Venkataramanan and Ramalinga were asked to quit by CM Panneerselvam. However, according to sources the CM was acting on instructions from Sasikala.

With agency inputs

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement