On 69th birthday of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala says feeling lonely in her absence

Chennai: On the eve of the late J Jayalalithaa's 69th birthday, AIADMK chief V K Sasikala today said she was feeling "lonely" in the absence of her predecessor and long-time friend.

In a message to party workers, Sasikala, serving a jail term in connection with a Disproportionate Assets case, urged them to tirelessly serve the public and uphold Jayalalithaa's fame.

Sasikala said every year Jayalalithaa's birthday was celebrated with fervour, but "I never thought this year will turn out to be so challenging."

"Amma is not with us and it makes me sad. After having celebrated her birthday with her for the past 33 years, I feel lonely this year in her memories. My thoughts revolve around her," she said.

Jayalalithaa was a popular leader and anybody who had met her even once would remember her for life, she added.

Sasikala recalled that Jayalalithaa had united the party post the death of its founder M G Ramachandran in 1987, later tactfully steering it through various challenges and said the late leader was known for her "love, compassion and hardwork."

"Let the events held to mark Amma's 69th birth anniversary be done with the intention of upholding her fame and with the wish that Amma's government should deliver more pro-people initiatives and serve them," she said.

She exhorted party workers to distribute food to the poor, conduct mass feeding, install bedecked portraits of the late Chief Minister for public view and pay rich tributes to her.

"In the past, we had extended our birthday greetings to Amma. This year, with her memories in mind, we should vow to serve the people well through our government," Sasikala said.

She said Jayalalithaa was never cowed down by challenges and overcame them with grit and acumen and therefore had set herself as an example for party workers to face problems. "Overcoming the present difficulties faced by the party with the same grit is the gratitude we can show her," Sasikala further said.