A groundswell of support is building up in the AIADMK to elevate Sasikala Natarajan, the long-time friend of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa as the general secretary of the party. Sunday saw O Panneerselvam, Chief Minister, and Thambi Durai, deputy Speaker of the lok Sabha, going public with a statement pleading Chinnamma (as Sasikala would like to be addressed by her acolytes) to take over the reins of the party. Both the leaders were competing against each other in waxing eloquence on Sasikala in what is seen by political commentators in game of one-upmanship.
“There is no second opinion on the issue. If anyone has any second thoughts, they are not true AIADMK workers,” Panneerselvan said in a statement. He said Sasikala had shared Jayalalithaa’ grief. “She lived with Amma as her trusted aide and was like a sister. She imbibed the thoughts and working style of Jayalalithaa by being with her for more than 30 years. She lived like Jayalalithaa’s shadow till Amma’s death,” said the Chief Minister.
“Chinnamma knows each and every party worker. To ensure continuance of the party’s functioning with the same level of discipline only seen in the Army brought about by Amma, the only way out in the present situation is for Chinnamma to become general secretary and lead the party,” said Panneerselvam.
Thambi Durai is see competing with the Chief Minister in expressing his solidarity and respect to Sasikala, whom he addresses as Respected Amma in the entire statement. “At this juncture when Hon Amma is not amongst us, Respected Chinnamma is the only person who is capable, who has acumen and experience to lead the party, : said Thambi Durai.
“Hon Amma made the AIADMK party known to the people of not only India, but also the entire world. Respected Chinnamma (RC) is the only person who could lead this party and its 1.5 crore party cadres, from the front,” he said.
“RC is very closely associated with Hon.Amma (HA) and made several sacrfices during the last 35 years. Due to political vendetta, false cases have been foised against RC; and RC went to jail and underwent many struggles. RC has given valuable suggestions to HA regarding party administration and also in governance. like this, the list of traits of RC can go on,” said Thambi Durai in a signed statement issued in the letter head of the deputy speaker of the lok Sabha.
The AIADMK headquarters has stared releasing the pictures of Sasikala with the title Chinnamma. The party channel, Jaya TV also addresses her as Chinnamma showing the changed power dynamics and equilibrium in the party.