Ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections, former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s close aide and sacked AIADMK leader V K Sasikala has moved an application in a local Chennai court to stake claim to her erstwhile position as AIADMK’s ruling party chief.
Released from jail last month, 66-year-old Sasikala filed an application against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami (EPS) and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam (OPS), for reclaiming the top post in AIADMK. Seeking higher damages, she has now pleaded for an urgent hearing. The case is likely to be heard on March 15.
Incidentally, Sasikala had filed a lawsuit in 2017 against an AIADMK General Council meeting convened by EPS and OPS. The meeting revolved around removing her from the post of the party General Secretary.
Post Jayalalithaa’s death, Sasikala stepped in as AIADMK chief and was just short of taking over as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister when she was sentenced to a four-year jail term on charges of corruption. She spent the last four years in a Bengaluru prison.
As she was leaving for jail, she had chosen EPS to take over as Chief Minister. In a dramatic turn of events, EPS and OPS – who had rebelled against Sasikala’s leadership – joined hands and ensured that Sasikala was removed from the party.