Will Sasikala be a factor in TN assembly elections?

The release of former AIADMK leader VK Sasikala from prison has sparked speculation that she would not relent until she reaches the high office of the ruling AIADMK writes Tamil Nadu Desk Incharge Prince Jebakumar.

Hyderabad: On a day when Tamil Nadu's late Chief Minsiter J Jayalalithaa’s memorial was thrown open to the public on the Marina Beach in Chennai, her co-accused VK Sasikala was released after serving the four-year jail term in the disproportionate assets case.

Sasikala was stripped of the post of party general secretary and sources close to Sasikala said that she would not relent until she reaches the high office in the ruling AIADMK which at present is run by the diarchy - deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) and chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy (EPS).

There were unofficial talks mediated by BJP top brass and Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran to bury the hatchet with OPS and EPS to help the alliance perform better.

Power

According to political observers, Sasikala will accept the baton of the party if it was offered as part of the mediation. If it doesn’t play in her favour, she would work towards defeating the AIADMK which would throw both EPS and OPS out of power, which in turn lead will to an exodus from the present ruling dispensation to her fold.

“Sasikala’s proximity with Jayalalithaa which was among the key reasons behind her conviction and the jail term she served has won the sympathy of the sizeable population in the Delta region and as well as in the Southern region which are the strongholds of Thevar community. Once they are out of power, the equations in the AIADMK will change”, said a political observer.

EPS who was installed as the CM by Sasikala controls most of the party and the government in all aspects and has been asserting that he was chosen as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party by the MLAs and not Sasikala.

While EPS and OPS are showcasing a united face, the inner-party circles are aware of the power tussle which is still on. The same is evident from OPS who is also close to the ruling national party is running his individual advertisement campaigns both in print and channels positioning himself as chosen by Jayalalithaa herself.

Read:Bengaluru Jail receives letter asking about release of ex-AIADMK secy Sashikala

Legal Tangle

Legally, Sasikala cannot work with her nephew TTV Dinakaran who is the present general secretary of AMMK since she has staked claims for the AIADMK symbol and the petition regarding the same is pending before the Supreme Court. Therefore, she cannot openly support the AMMK.

Though Dinakaran who went to receive his aunt was tight-lipped about her future plans, the RK Nagar MLA and AMMK general secretary said he was glad that they (AIADMK) are also celebrating - referring to the inauguration of J Jayalalithaa.

It implies that she would pursue the legal battle for the two-leaves symbol.

AIADMK, AMMK equally confident

Vaigaichellvan, former Minister and AIADMK spokesperson, when contacted promised to get back on their strategy to tackle Sasikala who is expected to reach Chennai either by this weekend or early next week.

Adv. RM Babu Murugavel, AIADMK spokesperson, who was vocal against Sasikala said the party does not require her leadership or guidance in any manner. “She is a convict who has served her prison term. Let her spend her time peacefully with her family, and we have EPS and OPS who will take care of the party and the government”, he said.

As regards to having a truck with her, the former legislator was confident that it would not lead to that point.

V Vetripandian, the AMMK spokesperson, harped that they would definitely reclaim the AIADMK through their AMMK. “We will use our AMMK to reclaim AIADMK. We do not have an iota of doubt in that,” he said.

On Sasikala’s exact contributions for this plan to work, the former journalist maintained that she would only know her game not him and that he would wait for her to deal with her cards by herself.