Tamil Nadu: AIADMK Divided Over Inducting Sasikala Back Into Party Fold

AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said that the AIADMK’s top brass will decide on inducting former AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala back into the party

(L) Sasikala (R) O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami (File Photo)

Chennai: AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam on Monday created a ripple within the party by saying that the AIADMK’s top brass will decide on inducting former AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala back into the party. The statement of the leader clearly differed from party lines since Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami maintained that there’s no place for Sasikala or her family members in the party. 

Hence, soon as a defense mechanism, former AIADMK Minister Jayakumar addressed the press and recalled that O Panneerselvam was the leader who conducted 'dharma yudham' against Sasikala. The AIADMK leader said, “A resolution was brought against Sasikala and all of us have signed it. Secondly, OPS said that he will join the party only if AIADMK leaders do not induct Sasikala or his family members back into the party.”

“Thirdly, O Panneerselvam was the one who conducted dharma yudham against Sasikala. So, I’m reminding all these to you,” he said. 

In March 2021, Sasikala said that she will stay away from politics and will just pray that AIADMK continues Amma's (as Jayalaithaa fondly called) legacy in Tamil Nadu. However, Sasikala after the Assembly election started to interact with the AIADMK cadre and assured them that she will return back to politics and regain control over AIADMK.

From October 16, Sasikala also started her efforts to bring AIADMK into her fold during the AIADMK's golden jubilee celebrations. She visited the memorial of former Chief Ministers Jayalalithaa, MG Ramachandran and Anna, and also inaugurated a stone that mentioned her as the General Secretary of AIADMK.