The AIADMK reasserted on Thursday that Sasikala Natarajan, the Chinamma of Veda Nilayam, would be the next General Secretary of the party. C Ponnaiyan, the senior spokesperson of the party said on Thursday that there was no confusion regarding the appointment of Chinamma as the next Amma (read general secretary) of the party.
“Why this question is being asked again and againIJ Chinamma (Sasikala Natarajan) is the unanimous choice for the top post of the party. There need not be any doubt about it. The entire cadre has unanimously endorsed her as the next Amma. We will soon convene the General Body meeting of the party to make the announcement,” said Ponnayyan while reporters met him at Chennai on Thursday.
It has to be noted that all office bearers who are interacting with the media address Sasikala Natarajan as Chinnamma. “She has been following Amma like a shadow for the last three decades and it has been a forgone conclusion that she would take over the reins of the party from Amma,” said Ponnayyan, whom senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had recommended as the ideal choice for the post of chief minister when Jayalalithaa’s appointment was nullified by the Supreme Court in 2001.
Ponnayyan decried efforts by a section of the media, particularly social media and micro blogging sites to spread rumours and scandals about Jayalalithaa’s death and the subsequent transition of power. “We know who are the people behind these campaigns ad we will surely take legal action against such people,” he said.
Veda Nilayam, the Poes Garden residence built and owned by late Jayalalithaa continues to be the beehive of activities. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam daily calls on Chinnamma to take orders and directives for the smooth functioning of the government. Though Sasikala Natarajan does not hold any official position in the government or in the AIADMK, heavy posse of police commandoes guard the fortified house.
It is expected that the General Body meeting for ratifying Chinnamma’s name would be held before December 30. Every day hundreds of AIADMK cadre are being ferried from various parts of Tamil Nadu in luxury buses to Veda Nilayam in Chennai to make them plead with Chinnamma to take over the reins of the party to save it from disintegration and any kind of attacks from the DMK. “There are certain top AIADMK leaders who are maintaining a silence and you have to wait and watch for their action,” said a senior political commentator.