Upset with Sasikala as General Secretary, AIADMK workers throng Deepa’s house

Days before and after the New Year, groups of cadre continued to chant “puratchi thalaivi Vaazhaga” (long live revolutionary leader), a slogan which was used exclusively for Jayalalithaa in front of Deepa’s residence. The continued sloganeering resulted in Deepa coming out and telling the assembled people that she would honour their wishes when the time was ripe. 

Those who came to ‘request’ Deepa to take over the party were asked to put down their names, address and mobile numbers in a notebook. 

“On January 1, nearly three books were filled with such information” a party insider said. What is surprising is that visitors also include lower level AIADMK functionaries who are disgruntled by the behaviour of the top party brass. Political analyst T George said “Deepa’s chances will be revealed only after she makes known her strategy which will have to consider what Chinnamma and her supporters have up their sleeve.” 

While Deepa’s supporters want her to contest from RK Nagar where her aunt last won, strangely enough AIADMK sources said, Sasikala might try to contest from the Andipatti Assembly segment, an area dominated by Thevars, the community to which she belongs. 

Asked about this, George said “if true, why should Sasikala contest from there and not RK Nagar where Jayalalithaa won and whose name she used to extract maximum political mileage during her maiden public speech? It reveals that she is unsure whether people will support her.”