Sasikala must ensure to contest, win elections within six months: CPI

Refraining to make an outright remark at the appointment of VK Sasikala as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday said the AIADMK General Secretary must ensure to contest and win election to secure a seat in the state assembly within six months.

"Choosing the Chief Minister of the state is the prerogative of the MLAs and the party, which has adequated number of MLAs to form the government, to elect its leader who can become the Chief Minister. But, in our case, she is not the member of the legislative assembly. She should get elected to the state legislative assembly within six months," CPI leader D Raja told ANI.

"When she will contest elections; where she will contest elections; whether she will get people's support -- these are the queries which will be answered soon. We just have to wait and see," he added.

Sasikala is likely to take over as Tamil Nadu's next Chief Minister on February 9.

On Sunday, she was unanimously elected as the leader of the AIADMK legislature party.

The AIADMK said that it was unwise for the party and government to have different power centers in the state and therefore, vociferously demanded Sasikala's elevation and O. Panneerselvam's removal.