Jayalalithaa death case: Troubles continue for V K Sasikala in Tamil Nadu

“Udanpirava sagodari”, or a sister not related by blood, is what former chief minister J Jayalalithaa used to call her close aide V K Sasikala.
 
Through the ups and downs of their relationship, which lasted decades, Sasikala, 68, was considered a shadow of the former chief of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). From sporting the same pottu (bindi) like Jayalalithaa to wearing a sari similar to hers, Sasikala tries to project herself as an alternative to her through an image makeover.
 
But now, after having faced many crises, she faces another one.
 

The Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission, which looked into the circumstances leading up to the death of Jayalalithaa, had found Sasikala at fault and also called for an investigation against her and three others — doctor K S Sivakumar; then health secretary J Radhakrishnan, and former health minister C Vijayabaskar.

 
This, according to experts, may make a political comeback by Sasikala difficult. However, the former confidante of Jayalalithaa has said though there are more ways to exclude her from politics, “it is cruel to use Amma’s death” for that.
 
“After politicising Amma’s death, the commission’s report has also now been politicised. I deny all accusations against me and I’m ready to face any kind of inquiry,” Sasikala told the media.
 
There are political analysts who say this may strengthen the Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) faction in the AIADMK because Ottakarathevar Panneerselvam (OPS), TTV Dhinakaran, and Sasikala are on the road to joining hands.

 
Sasikala, former general secretary of the AIADMK, is from the Thevar community in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district. It was in 1982 that the lady, who used to run a video-rental shop in Chennai, was introduced to Jayalalithaa, then propaganda secretary to the AIADMK. However, what strengthened the relationship was Sasikala standing by Jayalalithaa during the difficult days of the latter following the death of M G Ramachandran. After this, Sasikala and family even moved to Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence. Even though Sasikala’s husband, Natarajan, was thrown out of the house in 1990, she continued to stay with Jayalalithaa.
 
When Jayalalithaa faced corruption charges in the disproportionate assets case, Sasikala did not leave her. In December 2011, Jayalalithaa herself had expelled Sasikala, her husband, and 12 of their relatives from the AIADMK’s primary membership after reports of her conspiring against the leader. Within months, this order was revoked by the former AIADMK supremo after an emotional letter by Sasikala calling her “akka” (elder sister) came out in public. In the letter, Sasikala said she never thought of betraying “akka” in her “wildest dreams”.

 
Interestingly, she “almost became” chief minister of the state after the death of Jayalalithaa in 2016. Though immediately she was elevated as AIADMK general secretary, she could not realise her chief ministerial ambitions due to the disproportionate assets case, in which she was convicted for four years.
 
“This time she must be mentally prepared for another legal battle. If the case prolongs, her comeback may become difficult. This is going to strengthen the EPS faction. But if she plays the victim card, there is all possibility that the OPS faction and Jayalalithaa admirers may rally around her and make her a strong opposition,” said V Narayanan (Maalan), a political analyst and writer.

 
There are others who believe that the report is biased and its charges may not stand up legally.
 
“Sasikala was certainly in charge of communication. But it needs to be looked at whether she is the only one to be blamed. Why was the commission silent on the hospital and why is no one asking questions on them,” asked Ramu Manivannan, former head of the department of politics and public administration, University of Madras.
 
Though she is banned from contesting elections for another four years, supporters believe that she can be a possible alternative to the DMK in the state.

 
“As of now, neither OPS nor EPS is an alternative to the DMK. The BJP has not grown adequately to become one,” Narayanan added.