VK Sasikala, confidante of the late Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa, dramatically declared on Sunday that the AIADMK is far from being decimated despite its recent electoral losses. She proclaimed that her “entry has begun” and vowed to restore Amma’s rule by securing victory in the 2026 Assembly polls.
Sasikala further said that her intention to hold the government accountable, stepping in as the ‘opposition party’. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to reclaim leadership of the AIADMK from Edappadi K Palaniswami, Sasikala addressed her supporters in Chennai, declaring that the time is ripe for her resurgence, as PTI reported.
“This is the moment I have been preparing for. There’s no cause for concern,” Sasikala assured, hinting at her efforts to unify the party through extensive tours across the state.
“With the backing of the people and party workers, ‘Amma’s’ rule will return victorious in 2026,” she confidently proclaimed during her announcement of an upcoming statewide tour, where she intends to press the DMK government with critical inquiries.
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Sasikala condemned the infusion of ‘caste-based politics’ into the AIADMK, emphasizing that such practices go against the party’s founding principles established by MGR and Jayalalithaa.
She further explained that her decision to appoint Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister in 2017 was based on his representation of the party’s strong support base in the western region, not on caste considerations.
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Regarding the party’s decline to third and fourth positions in recent Lok Sabha elections and losing deposits in numerous seats, Sasikala’s remarks on ‘caste-based politics’ and the ‘election setbacks’ were aimed indirectly at Palaniswami. She had proposed Palaniswami’s candidacy for Chief Minister while serving as the party’s interim general secretary following Jayalalithaa’s passing in December 2016.
Addressing reporters, Sasikala criticized the AIADMK and DMDK’s decision to boycott the July 10 Vikravandi by-election, deeming it an ill-advised move given the current circumstances.
Taking aim at the ruling DMK government on issues such as bus procurement, Sasikala stated, “If the opposition leader (Edappadi Palaniswami) fails to ask the necessary questions, I will. I am the opposition party, and I will pose those questions.” She expressed confidence in her ability to reunite the AIADMK and reclaim power in the state.
Sasikala also noted that former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and his supporters were ousted by Palaniswami, who subsequently emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. Sasikala and her relatives, including TTV Dhinakaran (who later founded the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam), were among those expelled from the party when Panneerselvam and Palaniswami united years ago.
(With PTI Inputs)