Chennai: Rejecting allegations against former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’s aide V.K. Sasikala as “absurd and false”, AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan asserted on Thursday that party rules would be relaxed to elect ‘chinna amma’ as the new general secretary. As CM, Jayalalithaa also held the party’s general secretary post.
“Those who are jealous of Sasikala are raising unnecessary issues to split the AIADMK and freeze its symbol,” he told reporters here. There is no opposition to Sasikala’s succession as AIADMK general secretary from the rank and file, he said and added that party rules would be relaxed to make her the general secretary.
He also said that the party’s general council and executive committee would be convened to take the decision.
He said Ms Sasikala has the full qualification to take over the leadership of the AIADMK as she was “the shadow and conscience” of Jayalalithaa, and was instrumental in her rise in politics. Ms Sasikala left her family and lived a life of sacrifice for the former AIADMK chief, he said.
When Jayalalithaa entered the AIADMK, the party had a membership of 30 lakhs, but it was increased to 1.5 crores by Jayalalithaa assisted by Ms Sasikala, he said.
