CHENNAI: With the question about the next general secretary of AIADMK yet to be resolved, late leader J Jayalalithaa’s close aide, VK Sasikala, received support from many leaders including CM O Panneerselvam, who urged her to assume the responsibility of leading the outfit in Jayalalithaa’s absence.
“Sasikala had grasped the line of thought and way of functioning of Jayalalithaa during the past 33 years. Just like Jayalalithaa knew the grassroot-level cadre, Sasikala too knows them well. If the AIADMK is to continue as a movement with military discipline, the only way out is Sasikala taking over as the general secretary and leading the party. There is no differing view in the party on this. If anyone expresses any contradictory view, that person is not a cadre of this party,” Panneerselvam asserted in a late night statement on Saturday.
With this, Panneerselvam joined other leaders who came out in support during the day, including seniors like presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan, Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai and former minister KA Sengottaiyan, besides a large number of State cabinet members. Many of them made a beeline at the Poes Garden residence to meet and appeal to Sasikala directly so as to end the rumours about a difference of opinion within the party over the question of succession.
On the rumours spread against Sasikala on social media, Panneerselvam said Sasikala had dedicated her life to Jayalalithaa for the past 33 years and recalled the late leader’s statement that Sasikala had filled in the vacuum left by her mother.