In a major development in the Tamil Nadu politics, Sasikala Natarajan, a close aide of the late Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, is all set to replace O Panneerselvam to be the next Chief Minister of the state. If media reports are to be believed Sasikala is expected to take the oath on February 8 or 9.
Earlier on December 29, the ruling AIADMK passed a resolution to appoint Sasikala as the party’s General Secretary. The council also passed a resolution condoling the death of Jayalalithaa and several other resolutions.
Following her appointment, some party leaders had also urged Sasikala to contest from R.K. Nagar constituency and become the Chief Minister.
Sasikala, who was once sacked from AIADMK’s primary membership by Jayalalithaa for anti party activities, is leading the AIADMK, the second largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha with 37 members. The party also has 13 members in Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, miffed with Sasikala’s appointment, late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s niece J. Deepa on January 17 announced her decision of joining politics and had said that she wasn’t sure whether she will join the AIADMK or float a new party.
Deepa said she would announce her next course of action on February 24, the birthday of her aunt Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5.
