Is Sasikala new Amma in Tamil Nadu? Political brainstorming on in AIADMK over who will step into Jayalalithaa's shoes

"Who will now head the AIADMK after Jayalalithaa?"

"Is Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala going to take charge of AIADMK?"

These are the questions which are engaging the party leaders, cadre and others after the death of AIADMK's most charismatic leader J Jayalalithaa on Dec 6.

Many political experts have written in their opinion peices in various newspapers that filling the void in AIADMK may not be quite easy because of the absence of a second line of leadership.

Jayalalithaa had total command over the party and there was a clear absence of any "heir" identified by the late leader.

With the circumstances visible after Jayalalithaa's death, this is being said that Sasikala, once the closest aid of Jayalalithaa, is widely perceived to be a power centre in the party after the AIADMK supremo's death.  

Many supporters of Sasikala in the party have already started saying that she should be the "natural choice," for the post of General Secretary held by Jayalalithaa. 

Sasikala's supporters say that she had been Amma's "aide, sister, friend and confidante," for 30 years through Jayalalithaa's "ups and downs." 

With O Panneerselvam taking over as Chief Minister, she should be the "ideal choice," they say.

 Also read | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam holds discussions with Sasikala Natarajan at Poes Garden

However, there are many others who are not willing to concede it.

A senior party functionary requesting anonymity said, "go back in history and make your own inference if Amma's loyalists and people will accept her (Sasikala)."

He recalled Jayalalithaa expelling Sasikala twice from the party, once in 1996 after the AIADMK's electoral drubbing and in 2011 months after the party wrested power again from DMK. Such factors had cast a shadow on her as a potential choice to lead the party, he said.

 Also read | Jayalalithaa's closest aide Sasikala Natarajan performs amma's last rites

He said Amma herself had announced in 1996 that she was distancing herself from Sasikala and her family to respect the wishes of partymen.

Sasikala's expulsion came against the background of allegations of corruption during the 1991-96 AIADMK regime. The DMK government had arrested Jayalalitha and Sasikala and filed cases against them.

It was also in deference to a public perception that AIADMK was routed in the 1996 Assembly polls only because of Jayalalithaa's association with Sasikala and her kin.

In particular, the extravagant wedding of Jayalalithaa's foster son VN Sudhakaran, since disowned, in 1995 as among the reasons for her expulsion.

On December 19, 2011, Sasikala, her husband M Natarajan, and 12 others who were their close relatives were expelled from the primary membership of the party. 

Sasikala, who was staying with Jayalalithaa in her Poes Garden residence was also made to move out. However, on both instances, the expulsion was revoked in a matter of months and Sasikala made a comeback winning back the trust of Amma.

 Also read | Jayalalithaa's closest aide Sasikala Natarajan remains beside her akka's casket at Rajaji Hall in Chennai

Called "Chinnamma," (Younger Amma) by her supporters she undoubtedly wielded significant clout in the party and continues to do so. The question is whether her role will be formalised now.

Political analyst Gnani Shankaran said people knew that Sasikala was a "power centre" in AIADMK even while Jayalalithaa was alive. Asked if people would accept her as AIADMK chief, in the role previously held by Jayalalithaa, he said,"it would be known only during elections."

An AIADMK former Minister said, "we are not thinking about it now. We are in mourning. Where is the hurry about all that. It is not something that can be decided by holding discussions with journalists or the media."

Without going deep into the issue, he said there are several deserving contenders in any party for any position. The question of who should be elected as General Secretary had to go through several stages at multiple levels like a general council meeting, he added.

Coimbatore party workers said the western belt of Tamil Nadu (called "Kongunadu" in Tamil), "actually propelled" the prospects of party in several elections and it has senior leaders like K A Sengottaiyan and M Thambidurai from the region.

While Sengottaiyan was a staunch MGR and Jayalalithaa loyalist, he stood behind Amma when she began piecing together the party after AIADMK founder chief MGR's death in 1987, they said.

 Also read |  Blog: From Tamil cinema to politics, Jayalalithaa remained a destiny's empress

Mentioning the name of Thambidurai, they said he was similarly a long-time follower of Amma, who was chosen by her for the post of Deputy Lok Sabha speaker like MGR did in 1985.

Party workers from Madurai region including Theni cited names of "grassroots leaders" including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's name.

Like the Western belt, the AIADMK has an edge over DMK in Madurai and its neighbouring districts given its core support base among the dominant caste group of Mukkulathor.

Though there are other names including those belonging to the "old school" of the party like Panruti S Ramachandran, it is unlikely that their names could gain traction given the present party dynamics, they said.

With Inputs from PTI

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