Sasikala’s visit on parole to TN won’t make any impact: Politicians

Denying speculations in a section of the media that some of the ministers and MLAs could meet her secretly, her supporters said her release itself would be bound by legal conditions and she would not involve herself in any political activity during her parole period. Since her release comes at a crucial time in state politics, there are speculations that she could use it to influence the MLAs and a few ministers, besides giving suggestions to her nephew TTV Dinakaran. 

Finance Minister D Jayakumar too concurred with Dinakaran’s supporters and said Sasikala’s release would not have any impact on state politics or the stability of the government. Chief whip of AIADMK (Amma) Dinakaran faction P Vetrivel too dismissed suggestions on the same.

When asked if the sedition cases were filed on Dinakaran to keep him in prison and prevent a meeting with Sasikala, Vetrivel said there could not be any link between Sasikala’s release and cases filed on Dinakaran. The case on Dinakaran was a desperate measure by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to threaten him from toppling the state government, Vetrivel said and asserted that Dinakaran would face arrest without seeking anticipatory bail.

Vetrivel also countered arguments that law order would be affected if Sasikala is released on parole and said such apprehensions are imaginary. “How can law and the order affected if Sasikala comes out on parole?” he asked. But, Vetrivel added that her supporters would meet her during her visit to the city.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala on Tuesday morning. 

Temple sources told that Palaniswami along with his wife arrived on the hills late night on Monday and after an overnight stay, took part in the Astadala Pada Padmaradhana ritual held in the temple. The sources added that the Chief Minister left for Chennai immediately after the worship. This is his second visit to the hill temple as Chief Minister, they said.