An emotional Sasikala took over as the AIADMK General Secretary on Saturday.
VK Sasikala Natarajan, 54, a close aide of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, took charge as General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Saturday at the party's headquarters in Chennai.
AIADMK party members had in a unanimous resolution adopted at the party's general council meeting earlier this week, appointed Sasikala to the post.
Chinnamma addressed AIADMK cadres at the party Head Quarters. She began by thanking her supporters for choosing her to be the next General Secretaryafter Jayalalithaa's death.
Breaking down with tears, she said that the despite Jayalalithaa's demise party under her leadership will continue to rule the state. "Amma is not with us now but our party will rule here for the next 100 years," she said.
Sasikala said that she had dedicated her life to serving Jayalalithaa. "For Amma party was life and for me Amma is my life.We have tried our best to safeguard Amma; but unfortunately she passed away."
She reminded party workers to be loyal and committed towards the party to fulfil Jayalalithaa's dream for the state. "Amma always expected loyalty and true work from all cadre and functionaries. I will sacrifice my life for my party and the crores of people. Amma's dream will continue for Tamil Nadu," she said. "This government is people's government. We will follow the path shown by our Amma. If we stand united, future is ours," she said.
"In those days Indira Gandhi was the only woman leader in politics but Amma broke the tradition and made history," said Sasikala about Jayalalithaa's ascension to power as a woman.
Sasikala also promised grand celebrations for entire year in 2017 for the centenary of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran. "Centenary of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran will be celebrated in a grand manner throughout the year," said the new AIADMK General Secretary
Ahead of taking charge, Sasikala paid tribute to Jayalalithaa.
The AIADMK in its general body meeting passed a resolution to work under the leadership of Sasikala on Friday. The resolution was accepted by Sasikala, the confirmation of which was posted on the party's Twitter handle.
The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder MG Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters after she arrived in the midst of tight security. She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa. Sasikala formally assumed charge by signing papers after which she addressed the gathering outside.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam handed over a copy of the resolution to Sasikala.
En route to the party office, she was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres who had gathered in large numbers. Party activists had lined up on both sides of the road from the Poes Garden residence to the party headquarters at Royapettah to welcome her.
Sasikala, clad in a light green saree with a pink border, greeted them with folded hands. Party flags, banners and festoons sporting bright images of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were put up on roads, all along from Poes garden to Royapettah. Banners and hoardings hailed Sasikala as Chinnamma everywhere.
After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she is not technically qualified. The general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.
Jayalalithaa who passed away on December 5 evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party's general secretary from 1989 to 2016.
With PTI/ANI inputs.
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