AIADMK senior functionaries may ‘veto’ plan to reinduct Sasi

The strong “no” campaign to Sasikala and her family comes in the background of unconfirmed reports over the release of Sasikala and the “sentimental” support extended to her by AIADMK Ministers OS Manian and Rajenthra Bhalaji openly supporting the re-entry of the ousted AMMK leader.

“Party seniors are now briefing their workers and cadre with two ‘valid’ points. First, Sasikala release may be delayed as there is an adverse report against her in the report submitted by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar who probed a complaint related to privileges extended to Sasikala in Bengaluru jail. Second Sasikala cannot actively participate in politics due to the recent amendments to Representation of People’s Act 1951,” said an AIADMK MLA who wish that the re-entry of Sasikala will strengthen the AIADMK.

According to party insiders, supporters of Sasikala are of the view that Dhinakaran and Sasikala can strengthen the party in the Thevar belt of Tamil Nadu covering Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Theni, Madurai and Ramanathapuram, but again there is a strong view among AIADMK leaders that the public do not like Sasikala and her re-entry will affect the AIADMK vote bank in 2021 polls.

Minor parties that allied with the AIADMK, including legislator U Thaniyarasu, is openly supporting the re-entry of Sasikala, sources said.

To this, an AMMK senior leader clarified that there is no adverse report against her and the one-man inquiry report has not named their leader anywheret and no FIR is registered in this regard. The AIADMK fears chinnama (Sasikala) release and they are creating a debate on AIADMK and AMMK merger. “Our party leaders have never commented on the merger of AIADMK and AMMK, but we will take over AIADMK soon,” the AMMK leader asserted.