Sasikala hints at political comeback

Chennai, May 30

VK Sasikala, eased out from the AIADMK years ago, has hinted at resumption of efforts to regain control of the party, a political comeback, by telling her supporters that there would soon be a “good decision”.

After announcing ahead of the April 6 Assembly polls that she would stay away from politics, Sasikala said she could not see the party getting ruined due to “infighting”. Her reference to the fued, though has no direct mention of the AIADMK or its leadership, it is seen as a pointer to alleged differences between top two leaders, K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam.

Confidante of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Sasikala’s brief conversation with two of her loyalists over phone has surfaced and this has dropped hints about her rethink. In the first audio clip, she could be heard saying, “we will for sure streamline the party…certainly, I will come”. In the second, she could be heard telling the supporter that the party, apparently a reference to AIADMK, was built through hard work of leaders including her and it was anguishing to see “them fighting”, and she could not be a mute spectator to the party getting ruined due to it. Hence, Sasikala said she would come soon and meet supporters after the second wave of coronavirus faded. The party could be brought back to a good shape and there was no need to worry. — PTI

Efforts to regain control of AIADMK

• This move is seen as a hint at resumption of efforts to regain control of AIADMK, which VK Sasikala and her nephew Dhinakaran lost years ago after she was imprisoned in 2017.
• Sasikala’s brief conversation with two of her loyalists over phone has surfaced and this has dropped hints about her rethink.