I cannot accept Sasikala in Amma's place: Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar

CHENNAI: Taking a political plunge and indicating that she may float a political party, Deepa Jayakumar, niece of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, today made it clear she cannot accept AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala.

On the birth centenary of AIADMK founder M.G. Ramchandran today, she received scores of AIADMK cadre at her residence and then paid floral tributes at the memorial of MGR.

Soon after she announced her entry into politics, her supporters who had gathered in large number residence burst crackers and distributed sweets.

Her residence in the busy T Nagar area sported banners hailing her as the heir of Jayalalithaa and the entire neighbourhood was teeming with hundreds of her supporters hindering traffic.

Asked if she accepted V K Sasikala or opposed her, she said,"I cannot accept anyone apart from Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma...I don't accept anyone in her (Jayalalithaa's) place."

On why she cannot accept Sasikala when leaders had done so and if she had any personal issues with her, she said,"my views are based on only what people want. There is nothing personal."

To a question on Sasikala, she said, she was "not afraid of anyone, but it is not in my nature to make personal comments."

On claims being made that Sasikala's family was the "brain" behind Jayalalithaa, Deepa said "it appears to be a wrong opinion, because Amma had unparallelled ability, she used to take independent decisions based on her own thinking."

Asked if she was happy or unhappy with Sasikala being at the helm of AIADMK, she claimed, "I would be with the larger section of the society."