Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala quits politics; says ‘will pray Amma govt is formed in Tamil Nadu’

Former CM J Jayalalithaa's close aide and expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala on Wednesday said she is quitting politics putting an end to the raging battle between the EPS-led faction and one headed by her and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran.

In keeping with her previous speech on the birth anniversary of J Jayalalithaa, she appealed to the AIADMK cadre to stand united in the fight against the DMK coming to power.

"'I pray for golden rule of Amma (Jayalalithaa)... I will step aside from politics and pray that Amma Government is established in Tamil Nadu," she said in a statement.


She went on to add that she was not someone lusting for power and that this would not change after Jayalalithaa's death.

"I have never been after power or position even when Jaya (J Jayalalithaa) was alive. Won't do that after she is dead. (I am) quitting politics but I pray that her party wins, and her legacy goes on," she said.

Interestingly, earlier this month she had filed a fresh application in a Chennai court against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, in an attempt to reclaim her position as the AIADMK General Secretary.

The BJP and the AIADMK have been in multiple rounds of seat sharing talks since Sunday. One of the important issues that was discussed on Amit Shah's visit to Tamil Nadu was the Sasikala factor. The BJP was keen on bringing the Dhinakaran-led AMMK within the fold of the AIADMK to avoid a split in votes.

The AIADMK had ruled out accommodating Sasikala or TTV Dhinakaran in the party or in the alliance led by it.

With Sasikala's exit from public life, analysts said that it remains to be seen how the AIADMK handled the TTV Dhinakaran factor.