Sasikala quits politics, urges ‘Jaya followers’ to ensure DMK defeat

Sasikala quits politics, urges ‘Jaya followers’ to ensure DMK defeat

But AMMK Will Fight Poll, Declares TTV

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.03.2021 

In a development that may come as a shot in the arm for the ruling AIADMK, V K Sasikala, the close-aide of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, on Wednesday announced her decision to quit politics. “I have decided to step aside from politics to ensure that the golden rule of Amma (Jayalalithaa) prevails, I am praying hard to my sister whom I consider as god and every god I know,” Sasikala said in a two-page emotional statement. The announcement came on a day when the ruling AIADMK led by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam ruled out any tie-up with Sasikala and her nephew T T V Dhinakaran. The BJP, meanwhile, made it clear that it would not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK.

Sasikala urged the “true followers of Jayalalithaa” to stay united and work for the continuance of the golden rule of former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa’s wish was to see the party rule the state for more than 100 years, Sasikala said. “Cadres will have to work hard to prevent the evil force DMK from returning to power and ensure that the golden rule of Amma prevails,” she said, thanking party workers and well-wishers.

Seat talks tough task for AIADMK, DMK

Though filing nominations for the TN assembly polls is just10 days away, the AIADMK and the DMK camps seem to have made little headway in clinching a deal with potential allies. While the national parties — the BJP in the AIADMK camp and the Congress on the DMK side — took time off from the seat-sharing talks on Wednesday, smaller parties in both the camps, too, preferred to act tough. While the DMDK upped its ante on the AIADMK side, MDMK has convened a meeting of its high-level committee on Saturday to discuss DMK’s offer of a few seats. Another DMK ally, the VCK, too, was in no mood to return to the discussion table with the DMK. P 7

Sasikala’s decision aimed at uniting Jayalalithaa’s loyalists, says TTV

Reacting to Sasikala’s decision, AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy said he was happy to note that Sasikala remained loyal to Jayalalithaa. “But it is Dhinakaran, who is creating hurdles for the continuation of Jayalalithaa’s government in Tamil Nadu,” Munusamy said.

Dhinakaran said while his aunt’s decision saddened him, it was aimed at uniting Jayalalithaa’sloyalists.“Shewasworried that Amma’s followers were not united,” the AMMK leader said after a meeting with his aunt at her T Nagar residence. On February 8, while returning to Chennai, Sasikala told reporters that she would return to active politics.

“I urged her to try and do what she wanted (help Jayalalithaa’s government to return to power) by being inside and not by keeping away from politics. That’s why there was a delay in her releasing the statement,” Dhinakaran told reporters.

In her statement on Wednesday, Sasikala didn’t name the AIADMK or AMMK. “I am not hankering after any position, title or power. I will remain grateful to beloved cadres of Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) and the people of Tamil Nadu,” she said.

Sasikala was released from Bengaluru prison in January after a four-year imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case. She was hospitalized for Covid-19.Afterherreleasefrom hospital and a two-week isolationperiod,shesetoutonalong journey by road on February 8 and reached Chennai the following day. “She was the one who ensured the continuation of Amma’s (Jayalalithaa’s) government by getting the MLAs to elect the present chief minister,” Dhinakaran said.

Dhinakaran said AMMK would go ahead and contest the assembly election. “Talks to form an alliance are on. We will announce it in due course . Meanwhile, the party will announce the candidate list on March 10,” Dhinakaran said, adding that he would contest the polls.

TNCCpresident K S Alagiri said Sasikala had “escaped the trap laid by BJP”, which wanted to take control of AIADMK by creating internal trouble. “Sasikala had enough experience in understanding politics and governance, having spent several years assisting Jayalalithaa. But she lacked the stature of a tall leader,” Alagiri said.