It looks like Sasikala the dear friend of Jaya Amma will take over the reigns of the AIADM party. She might further take the position of Jaya Amma for the state also. After all she has occupied the house of Amma and controlling the party and Government from the back door.
Providing clear signals that V.K. Sasikala will not face too many hurdles in gaining and probably even holding on to the reins of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, a section of leaders in the party on Friday openly hailed her as the natural political heir of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, whose confidante she was.
Even some of those who were earlier seen as possible stumbling blocks to her perceived political aspirations have declared that they would be loyal to the party.
For the second consecutive day, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and his senior Cabinet colleagues met ‘Chinna Amma’ (younger mother) at ‘Veda Nilayam’ here and held discussions with her for nearly three hours.
Separately, she summoned several senior leaders, though there were no indications that she openly solicited support from any of them. Many ministers, bureaucrats and police officers too were seen in Poes Garden. Senior party leaders, including Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal and former Minister Pollachi V. Jayaraman, met Ms. Sasikala. Later in the evening, the Chief Minister and his senior Cabinet colleagues were seen patiently waiting behind a barricade when Ms. Sasikala went to pay homage at the spot on the Marina where Jayalalithaa was buried.
“Sasikala looked extremely tired as she has spent more than 70 days in hospital [when Jayalalithaa was being treated]. We told them we are with her. I think almost every single leader is rallying behind her.
She may not have the brilliance of Jayalalithaa, but must have learnt a lot by her close association with her. She excels in back room political straegies,” said a senior party leader.
It looks as if Pannerselvam will step down in a short time again. Meanwhile the BJP is also waiting for an opportune time to join the Amma party or lead the party from outside support. Union Minister Venkaiah is on the Job. He said that it is too early to make predictions over the issue.
After all Jayalalithaa has taken over party from MGR being her friend and close associate. Now Sasikala will be doing the same.
