Who's next?

After the death of an MLA from the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK), it remains to be seen who would be named the new minister? N Mariam Pitchai, the first-time minister who was holding the environment portfolio, was travelling to Chennai to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the 14th legislative Assembly representatives when his car collided with a truck on the Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway. If rumours in Chennai are to be believed, the candidate ADMK is going to name is Sasikala Natarajan, friend and confidante of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for more than two decades. Hailing from Mannargudi, Sasikala was to have been fielded from that region, but now she may be the official ADMK candidate for the byelection when it is declared.