After loss of biggies, AMMK awaits Sasi’s return

There are reports that the ousted AIADMK leader is expected to arrive by the mid of next year. Legislator A Prabhu of Kallakurichi was the last MLA to ditch the AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran by meeting Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“With the AMMK general secretary Dhinakaran becoming a loner in the state Assembly and the tussle between the sulking Dhinakaran and Dhivakaran yet to be solved, family members are now waiting for Chinamma to be released. The political dimension will change in Tamil Nadu ahead of the next general Assembly polls,” an informed senior AMMK functionary told DT Next.

Coming February, Sasikala, will complete three years of her four-year jail term at Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru and she had previously spent close to six months when justice D Cunha convicted both Sasikala and former CM J Jayalalithaa. If no other prison offences stand in her way, the AMMK leader will be eligible for an early release by mid of next year. We are taking legal steps through our counsel, the source said. As per the Karnataka parole and holiday rules, all prisoners after completing two-thirds of their sentences, are eligible for early release. An advisory board considers the recommendations and there are also relaxations for convicts paying the income tax, he added.

“Former DIG prisons, Roopa Moudgil had submitted a report to Karnataka prison officials stating that the officials at the Bengaluru Central Prison gave preferential treatment to Sasikala. We are hoping that the report does not come in the way of early release of Sasikala,” said another confidential AMMK source adding that his party chief Dhinakaran has now planned district-wise meetings to strengthen the AMMK.

Sasikala started serving her jail term from February 25, 2017, along with her sister-in-law J Elavarasi and nephew VN Sudhagaran. The three are now serving a jail term in the Rs 66.65-crore disproportionate assets case filed by the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption.