Deepa Jayakumar, niece of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday confirmed that she would make her foray into state politics and said that she can’t accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa’s position.
Addressing a press conference in Chennai on January 17, Jayakumar said that the announcement in this regard will be made on February 24, which happens to be Jayalalithaa’s birthday.
Speaking to reporters, she said “AIADMK cadres are already welcoming me.” She refused to comment on Jayalalithaa’s close aide Sasikala Natarajan. and denied reports of BJP extending their support to her. Jayakumar also stated that she won’t lay claim to Jayalalithaa’s assets.
“I have 2 options, one is to join AIADMK or to float a new party, will discuss with my supporters before making a decision,” Jayakumar has said.
Jayakumar is the daughter of Jayalalithaa’s brother. There were reports of friction within the family after Jayalalithaa adopted Sasikala’s nephew. She apparently did not meet Jayalithaa since 2007.
I have 2 options one is to join AIADMK or to float a new party, will discuss with my supporters before making a decision: Deepa Jayakumar
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 17, 2017
What the Sasikala family is claiming is false that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas: Deepa Jayakumar( Jaya’s niece) pic.twitter.com/WT1p7BT7Oa
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 17, 2017
Jayalalithaa breathed her last on December 5, 2016, after she suffered the cardiac arrest hours after her party told media that she has fully recovered and will be returning home soon.
Born in 1948, Jayalalithaa started her career as an actress in South Indian films. In 1982, she joined the AIADMK, which was founded by her mentor MG Ramachandran. She first became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1991. She has ruled the state for over 15 years.
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