Sasikala praises 'loyal brother' Panneerselvam, says Tamil Nadu government will follow principles of Jayalalithaa

VK Sasikala was elected as the AIADMK legislature party as its leader on Sunday.

File photo

Chennai: VK Sasikala, who was elected as the AIADMK legislature party as its leader paving her way to be the CM of Tamil Nadu said on Sunday that the government would follow the principles of Amma (Jayalalithaa).

It is now a mere formality for Panneerselvam to resign from the Chief Ministership, paving the way for Sasikala to assume the top post.

"Following the demise of our honourable Amma, it was Thiru O Paneerselvam who urged me first to take charge as the general secretary of AIADMK. It was Thiru O Paneerselvam who insisted first, that I become the chief minister of the state," she was quoted as saying by the party's official Twitter handle.

"Tamil Nadu government will follow the principles of Amma," she added.

Following the demise of our Honourable Amma ,it was Thiru. O.Paneerselvam who urged me first to take charge as the GS of AIADMK - Chinnamma

— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 5, 2017

It was Thiru.O. Paneerselvam who insisted first,that I become the Chief Minister of the State - Chinnamma. — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 5, 2017

Tamil Nadu Government will follow the principles of Amma - Chinnamma — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 5, 2017

Respected Chinnamma assures that the Tamil Nadu Government will always work towards the welfare of the people. — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 5, 2017

Shadow of Jayalalithaa for nearly three decades, Sasikala or Chinnamma as she is called, is expected to be sworn-in as the third CM of the state within two months on Tuesday.

Sasikala was unanimously elected her as their leader, at a meeting of party MLAs at the party headquarters here.

Prior to the party meeting, Panneerselvam visited the Poes Garden Residence to meet Sasikala.

Sasikala also told party legislators in her acceptance speech that the development has come "shattering the expectation of our political opponents that there will be a split in the party after the demise of our Amma."

Sasikala had a special word of praise for the Panneerselvam, stating "whenever the party faced tough times and whenever there were difficulties in Amma becoming the Chief Minister, it was our dear brother Panneerselvam who has been loyal."

With her elevation, which comes over a month after she took charge as AIADMK general secretary on December 31, Sasikala carries on the legacy of Jayalalithaa, who also held the two posts allowing her to wield complete control on the government and the party.

Recalling that party leaders and workers had been urging her that "both the party general secretary and CM should be one and the same person (Sasikala), she said "I am accepting it," as per PTI.

"I will fuffil the dreams of Amma fully and I give my assurance that this regime will work for the people," Sasikala said with her eyes moist.

Chinnamma all set to become the Next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 5, 2017

Panneerselvam was the stop gap Chief Minister twice, first time when Jayalalithaa was unseated following a Supreme Court order in 2001 and when she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case in 2014.

When Jayalalithaa was at the helm, Sasikala was considered to yield a huge clout behind the scenes. After taking charge of the party, she had pledged to take forward the legacy of the former Chief Minister.

Ever since Jayalalithaa's death, there has been a clamour that Sasikala should follow the earlier practice of both the party general secretary and the Chief Minister's post being vested with the same person.

Senior party leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai is among those who have backed Sasikala for the Chief Minister's post.

In December last year, four state ministers had asked Sasikala to become the Chief Minister, besides AIADMK general secretary.

A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of Tirunelveli Urban Jaya Peravai (Forum), led by state AIADMK secretary and revenue minister R B Udhayakumar on December 17.

Two days back, Sasikala had appointed senior leaders, including some former Ministers and a former Mayor, to key party posts.

Reacting to today's development, DMK Working President and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin dubbed the elevation of Sasikala as against the "wishes" of both Jayalalithaa and the expectations of the people. 

Stalin claimed Sasikala was not Jayalalithaa's choice for position either in the government or in the party.

Speaking to reporters at Tiruvarur, the DMK leader recalled that whenever Jayalalithaa could not be at the helm as when she was indisposed since last September and after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case, she chose Panneerselvam to head the government.

He said his "party will face it in the upcoming elections (civic) in a democratic manner."

However, CPI (M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan greeted Sasikala on her elevation.

"I believe she will factor in people's opinions on this change," he said in a statement.

(With PTI inputs)