Chennai: The clamour for Sasikala Natarajan to take charge of not just the AIADMK but also head the Tamil Nadu government as Chief Minister gained momentum on Sunday.
The campaign was launched by revenue minister R.B. Uthayakumar who declared Sasikala is “best qualified” to be the Chief Minister as she had “immense knowledge and experience in handling issues” due to her three-decade-long close association with late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
After Mr Uthayakumar announced that Ms Sasikala was the “natural successor” to late Jayalalithaa as CM, minister after minister joined the cry for her to assume the top post, saying she “deserved the position” in every way since she had closely observed the functioning of the government and the AIADMK for decades together.
Health minister C. Vijayabhaskar, transport minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar, rural development minister P. Benjamin, party’s most prominent face on TV debates C.R. Saraswathi and O .Pannerselvam’s bete noire Thanga Tamil Selvan told Deccan Chronicle that Ms Sasikala has all “capabilities and experience” in steering the State as she has learned the trick of running the administration from a charismatic leader like J. Jayalalithaa.
They were unanimous in their view that Ms Sasikala should contest by-elections from RK Nagar, which Jayalalithaa represented, and take over as Chief Minister or even before if she desires. Mr Uthayakumar announced the launch of his campaign at Jayalalithaa’s memorial on Sunday afternoon flanked by Presidium Chairman of the AIADMK E. Madhusudhanan and other senior leaders.
“Chinamma (Sasikala) has all the capabilities and capacity to be the Chief Minister. She had been the best soul mate of Amma (Jayalalithaa) and she is the one who protected her. It is the wish of the AIADMK cadre that she (Sasikala) has to take charge as AIADMK general secretary. We also demand that she take over as Chief Minister,” Mr Uthayakumar said.
Soon after, the Revenue minister, Mr Vijayabhaskar and Mr Benjamin said there was no difference of opinion in the AIADMK on Sasikala taking over as Chief Minister.
“In fact, Chinamma (Sasikala) has the blessings of Amma (Jayalalithaa to take over as Chief Minister). She was with a charismatic and dynamic leader like Amma (Jayalalithaa) for long,” the Health Minister told Deccan Chronicle.
Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar said the Karur district AIADMK unit has passed a unanimous resolution asking Sasikala to take over as the CM.
AIADMK spokesperson Saraswathi had an interesting interpretation, saying from the time the party was founded by MGR, both the posts — General Secy and CM — were held by one and the same person. “This ensured smooth functioning of both party and government. We want Chinamma to go step by step. It is our wish that she takes over as AIADMK chief as well as the CM,” she said.
Thanga Tamil Selvan, who vacated Andipatti seat for Jayalalithaa in 2001 and an opponent of O Pannerselvam, said the Theni district committee is of the unanimous opinion that Sasikala takes over as the CM.
“Eventually, she has to step into the shoes of Amma. She (Sasikala) was the only person who enjoyed so much confidence from Amma and it is natural that she succeeds her,” he said.
