VK Sasikala’s visit to the memorial of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Marina in Chennai on Saturday has sparked speculation in political circles.
With the AIADMK flag on her vehicle, Sasikala was seen entering the memorial amid slogans of “AIADMK General Secretary Tyag Thai Chinnamma” by her supporters. With tears in her eyes, Jayalalithaa’s close aide was seen paying floral tributes to the one-time politician. maestro
Speaking to reporters after the tribute, Sasikala exuded confidence in her ability to revive the AIADMK. “I have spent three-fourths of my life with Jayalalithaa. It has been more than four years since I visited the memorial. I have taken the burden off my chest at Jaya Smarak. I am sure Jayalalithaa and MGR will defend the score of AIADMK cadre.”
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His visit to the memorial site, however, was not received well by party members, who expressed displeasure over his presence and also denied his claims of a return to politics.
“Sasikala has no place in AIADMK. His arrival at Amma Memorial has no political ramifications, he is one of the many beneficiaries of Jayalalithaa. If she wants a place in politics then AMMK is the right place. He may get an Oscar for his performance but has no place in AIADMK.”
Ahead of this year’s assembly elections, Sasikala has declared that she cannot ‘tolerate’ the party’s collapse. “Coming soon, to get the party on the right track. I can no longer tolerate the collapse of the party. It is the style of the party to take everyone along, let’s unite,” she said in a statement. Ahead of the April 6 election, she had said that she would stay away from politics. Now Sasikala has said that she cannot see the party getting ruined due to “internal strife”.
Sasikala, who was arrested in 2017 after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case, was released in January this year. Though attempts were made to merge his camp with the AIADMK, these failed due to pressure from New Delhi. Months after her announcement that she was “spending off active politics, late J Jayalalithaa’s close aide VK Sasikala started hinting about an imminent return to politics from May this year. His decision to “step aside” from politics came a month before the assembly elections in April.
Sources told The Indian Express that her return was supported by Panneerselvam, but Palaniswami opposed it, fearing she would take over the party if Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran were given a place.
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