Thambidurai urges Sasikala to become chief minister

Propaganda Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Dr. M. Thambidurai on Monday "appealed" the newly elected general secretary of the party Sasikala Natarajan to take charge as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

"The unfinished tasks of the party and the government, as expected by Puratchi Thalaivi Amma [Jayalalithaa], will be completed only when the leadership of the party and the leadership of the government are in the hand of one person," Thambidurai said in a release.

Entrusting his faith in Sasikala, Thambidurai compared her with 'Amma' in terms of thinking and said she had capability to take decisions without any likes or dislikes.

"Several hundred persons like me...knew the intelligence and political acumen of Respected Chinnamma; and above all that she has been able to think the same way as Puratchi Thalaivi Hon'ble Amma thinks; and we also knew very well that Respected Chinnamma has the capability to take decisions without any likes or dislikes," the statement read.

Thambi Durai also appreciated the party's general secretary Sasikala Nataranjan's maiden address after assuming the post, saying it melted the hearts of all.

"The address made by Respected Chinnamma for the party cadres, immediately after assuming the General Secretaryship of the AIADMK Party, has melted the hearts of all of us," read Durai's press release statement.

Durai further opined that the task of handling the party has been entrusted to the right person.

"The points in the address of Respected Chinnamma, with all sincerity and responsibility, have made us feel happy that the task of taking forward the party has been handed over to the right person," it read.

AIADMK general secretary and late J. Jayalalithaa's confidante Sasikala Natarajan on Saturday said she would carry forward former chief minister Jayalalithaa's legacy.

Taking charge as AIADMK general secretary, Natarajan broke down while talking about Jayalalithaa and said, "For Amma, the party was life, and for me, Amma is my life."

The AIADMK in its general body meeting passed a resolution to work under the leadership of Sasikala.

The resolution was accepted by Sasikala, the confirmation of which was posted on the party's Twitter handle.

"AIADMK adopts resolution to work under the leadership of Chinnamma," it read.

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she is not technically qualified.

The general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.