The Rise of CHINNAMMA
Sasikala was born in Mannargudi, a town in Tamil Nadu. Her parents belonged to the influential Kallar community. She was introduced to Jayalalithaa in the early 1980s by then Cuddalore district collector V.S. Chandralekha
At that time, Sasikala ran a video cassette rental shop. Her husband had lost his job and the family was going through a rough patch. As their friendship grew, Sasikala was entrusted the task of filming all of Jayalalithaa’s public events
After MGR’s death in 1987, Sasikala is said to have given Jayalalithaa emotional support. In 1989, she moved into Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden home, gradually taking control of AIADMK party affairs
A milestone in their relationship was the opulent wedding Jaya organised for Sasikala’s nephew, Sudhakaran, in 1995
In 1996, the AIADMK lost the state elections. Under a DMK-led government, Sasikala was arrested on charges of violating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Jayalalithaa distanced herself from Sasikala after the arrest, but soon ties were restored
In 2011, Jayalalithaa ousted Sasikala from her home after reports that she was plotting to seize power in the event Amma was arrested on corruption charges. Sasikala and 12 members of her family were expelled from the party. She was reinducted in 2012
In 2014, both Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were arrested in the Tansi land scam case. Sasikala was also asked to pay a fine of Rs 10 crore
Sasikala’s involvement in party affairs increased even more as Jayalalithaa took ill in 2016. After her death, Sasikala’s expelled family members made a comeback
Sasikala, who lays claim to Jayalalithaa’s legacy, lacks the charisma of the late leader. But, after Amma’s death, she appears to be handling the party’s affairs deftly, keeping the flock together so far