Tongues wag as TTV skips Sasi’s return trip to prison

Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran’s absence by the side of his aunt VK Sasikala during her journey back to the jail in Bengaluru has triggered speculations of a rift between two groups in the family.

During the five-day stay of Sasikala here, Dinakaran kept away from his aunt barring one or two brief meetings. 

He had accompanied Sasikala when she came to Chennai after her release on parole. But, he failed to escort her back. Besides, Sasikala’s younger brother Dhivakaran too was conspicuous by his absence during her visit. 

Although, the ruling faction leaders denied that any minister or MLA had spoken to Sasikala, one of the functionaries privately said he could not rule out such a possibility.

But, he also cited reports that those who had spoken to Sasikala had complained about Dinakaran’s style of functioning reportedly leading to a rift between them. 

But, several supporters dismissed the reports of rift between Sasikala and Dinakaran as rumours. MLA Thangathamizhselvan, propaganda secretary for the AIADMK (Amma) faction led by Dinakaran, told DT Next, “Though, Dinakaran did not accompany Sasikala during the return journey, he had received her at Bengaluru,” he said. 

However, he asserted that 10 ministers and 40 MLAs had spoken to Sasikala over phone during her stay in Chennai, but there were no complaints against Dinakaran. CR Saraswathi, spokesperson for AIADMK (Amma) group, asserted that there was no difference of opinion between the two leaders. 

CHENNA