Ahead of elections, Sasikala signals truce with AIADMK; says Jaya followers must unite
Chennai, Feb. 24: Expelled AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala Wednesday appealed to “true followers” of late party supremo J Jayalalithaa to join hands and post a spectacular victory in the coming Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Her appeal, days after returning to Tamil Nadu after serving a four year jail in an assets case, appeared to be a signal for truce with the ruling AIADMK ahead of the polls, likely in April.
After paying floral tributes to Jayalalithaa here on her 73rd birth anniversary, Sasikala recalled the late leader’s famous quote that even after her lifetime, the AIADMK would continue to work for the people for centuries to come.
“True followers” of Jayalalithaa should come together and remember that the goal is winning it big in the assembly elections, she said without naming anyone and while addressing Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam cadres.
Expressing confidence that her pitch for unity
would be reciprocated by the late leader’s loyal followers, Sasikala said she would throw her weight behind them.
She appealed to them to ‘work like a bee’ unitedly for poll victory.
In 2017, Sasikala and Dhinakaran were ousted from the AIADMK after the factions led by chief minister K Palaniswami, earlier chosen by her for the top post before proceeding to serve her jail term, and Panneerselvam merged burying the hatchet.
Senior AIADMK leader and fisheries minister D. Jayakumar, toeing the party stand of not accommodating Sasikala and her relatives, said her invite would not apply to his party and it meant only the AMMK.