Sasikala's nephew rules out BJP tie-up for TN polls; confident of regaining AIADMK control

On Friday, expelled AIMK general secretary VK Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran exuded confidence in AMMK playing a key role in upcoming Tamil Nu Assembly polls. After AIMK factions led by CM Edapdi Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam merged in August 2017 and paved way for removal of Sasikala from party, Dhinakaran formed Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam. Speaking to media, AMMK general secretary predicted that y would regain control of AIMK after election results.

Taking a dig at Palaniswami, Dhinakaran indicated that y would welcome Panneerselvam if he plans to join ir camp. Clearing air over Sasikala's absence in public, he revealed that doctors h vised her to take furr rest. While mentioning she will be paying tribute to late ex-CM J Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary at her residence itself, he assured that former AIMK leer shall meet people personally as soon as possible. On this occasion, Dhinakaran also clarified that neir AMMK r BJP h approached each or for an alliance in Assembly election due in April-May this year.

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Sasikala gets rousing welcome on return to TN

On January 27, Sasikala was formally released from prison after serving a 4-year jail term in Rs.66 crore disproportionate assets case. However, she was discharged from Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru only on January 31 as she was undergoing treatment for COVID-19. On Monday, former AIMK leer left a resort on Bengaluru outskirts where she completed her home quarantine after paying floral tributes to a portrait of Jayalalithaa. 

As her convoy crossed Tamil Nu at Athipalli in Krishnagiri district, she was greeted by a large garing of people who waved AMMK and AIMK flags. Throughout journey from Karnataka, her supporters broke into celebrations and showered flower petals on her convoy. Moreover, multiple banners, flex boards, posters and hoardings welcoming Sasikala were put up in Krishnagiri district. Speaking to media reafter, ousted AIMK general secretary anunced that she would enter full-fledged politics soon. 

Resolving that she will never bow down to oppression, Sasikala stated that she was indebted to people of Tamil Nu. According to her, complaints filed by TN Ministers against her for using AIMK flag on her car showed that "y are in jitters". Speaking on closure of Jayalithaa's memorial in Chennai, she said, " people of Tamil Nu kw very well what all this means".  While refusing to categorically answer wher she would regain control of AIMK or visit party hequarters, she expressed hope that everyone would work toger to defeat "common enemy"- presumably a reference to DMK.

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