CHENNAI: There was a three-way contest among the cadre and sympathisers of the AIADMK to organise the 69th birth anniversary of the late leader J Jayalalithaa on February 24. Her death in December fractured the party into two factions.
While it is important for the ruling faction that represents interim general secretary VK Sasikala to ensure that the rebels led by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and another challenger Jaya’s niece Deepa do not steal a march, the latter two are hoping to steal the limelight from the former.
In her letter to the cadre—much like the epistles that Jayalalithaa used to issue—from Parappana Agrahara prison, where she is currently lodged, Sasikala made a fervent plea to all to pay a fitting tribute to Jaya’s legacy.
She also urged the government to celebrate the day with much more grandeur than previous years, particularly in ensuring the welfare of the poor and underprivileged.
As part of the celebrations, the Sasikala faction also organised a tree planting drive in the city and paid floral tributes to Jaya’s memorial at Marina.
Meanwhile, the rebels led by Panneerselvam also organised ‘annadhanams’ and other welfare activities at R K Nagar, the constituency which fell vacant after Jayalalithaa’s death