Advantage AIADMK? Sasi To Stay Away From Politics

The decision comes as a boost for the ruling party, and is likely to give impetus to seat-sharing talks with its allies

- T Muruganandham & Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

In a significant development that comes as a boost to the ruling AIADMK ahead of Assembly elections, VK Sasikala, the one-time confidante of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has announced that she is “staying away” from politics. The dramatic announcement, made late on Wednesday evening, puts an end to speculation about her role in the State’s politics in the run-up to Assembly elections.

Around 9.30 pm, a statement was issued to journalists waiting outside her T Nagar residence. In it, Sasikala appealed to all loyalists of Amma (former CM J Jayalalithaa) to unite against “the evil force that is the DMK”. She said she would pray for the “Amma government to return to power in the State.”

AIADMK leaders have welcomed the statement, and analysts predict the decision could substantially favour the ruling party in the elections. While Sasikala did not make a public appearance, in stark contrast to her processional return to the city from Bangalore prison a month back, her nephew TTV Dhinakaran addressed the media.