Tamil Nadu assembly elections: VK Sasikala quits politics, urges ‘Jaya followers’ to ensure DMK defeat

CHENNAI: 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. 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. We have to remember that Jayalalithaa had kept Dhinakaran away from politics for more than 10 years,” Munusamy said.
Dhinakaran said while his aunt’s decision saddened him, it was aimed at uniting Jayalalithaa’s loyalists. “She was worried that Amma’s followers were not united,” the AMMK leader said, emerging from a meeting with his aunt at her T Nagar residence. “Sasikala wanted to be in politics when she came out of prison and hoped everyone would be united,” Dhinakaran said. On February 8, while returning to Chennai by road and enthused by the rousing reception, Sasikala told reporters that she would return to active politics.
“I tried to convince her not to go ahead with her decision to quit 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 of half an hour in her releasing the statement,” Dhinakaran told reporters.
In her statement on Wednesday, Sasikala said she remained the same person that she was even after her friend’s death. “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 treatment for Covid-19. After her release from hospital and a two-week isolation period, she set out on a long journey by road on February 8 and reached Chennai in the early hours 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. She wants unity in the party and all cadres to stay united. While there is a debate of even admitting her in AIADMK, she has taken the decision to quit politics to ensure unity,” 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 of time. Meanwhile, the party will announce the candidate list on March 10,” Dhinakaran said, adding that he would contest the polls.
TNCC president 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 in assisting Jayalalithaa in carrying out her work. But she lacked the stature of a tall leader,” Alagiri said.