'Chinna-Amma' Sasikala fit to lead party: AIADMK

Asserting that there is no difference of opinion within the All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam (AIADMK) over the leadership qualities of late chief minister Jayalalithaa's confidante Sasikala Natrajan, party member and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Thambi Durai has said she is a well known person who is fit to lead the party in its future endeavours.

"Nobody is against her (Sasikala), she is very well known person. She was the caretaker of Amma (Kayalalithaa), since the inception of the AIADMK when Jayalaithaa took over the reign, she stood beside her for nearly 35 years and is well aware of the mood of the party and people," Durai told ANI.

Durai further said that there is wide consensus among the cadres who consider Saskiala as the second-in-command of the party.

"We are calling her 'Chinnamma' (small amma), it means she is recognised as next to Amma (Jayalaithaa). It is a well known fact and there is no difference of opinion among the cadres of the party, therefore she is fit and able person to lead the party now," he added.

Senior functionaries of the AIADMK yesterday met Sasikala requesting her to lead the party.

AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan said the party would have a new general secretary soon and a decision in this regard would be unanimous.

Rumours are doing rounds that if the decision is unanimous, then Sasikala would assume the role of new party chief.

Jayalalithaa who passed away on Monday evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party's general secretary from 1989 to 2016.