Chennai: More than a month after the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, her niece Deepa Jayakumar said she would make her foray into Tamil Nadu politics. Confirming her political ambitions, Jayakumar announced that “a landmark announcement” would be made on February 24, which happens to be Jayalalithaa’s birthday.
she said “AIADMK cadres are already welcoming me.” Jayakumar, however, denied reports of BJP extending their support to her. “There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don’t know the reality,” she said. She refused to take on newly anointed AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan, but said that she cannot accept anyone in Jayalalithaa’s position. Jayakumar also stated that she won’t lay claim to Jayalalithaa’s assets. She also did not disclose if she would form a new party or join any other party when she said, “So far there have been questions expressing doubts if I would enter politics or not, if I would engage in people’s work and whether I will be afraid and run away (from political arena),” she said.
“To end such things, I make it clear on this day (MGR’s birth centenary) that I will enter politics, do people’s work and I desire that,” she told reporters at a crowded press conference, adding, she was “interested in politics. I am waiting to work for the people.” Earlier in the day, she paid homage to AIADMK founder MGR at his memorial at Marina beach. The party is celebrating his 100th birth anniversary.
Posters of Jayakumar, in which she bears a close resemblance to Jayalalithaa, have been put up by her supporters last week. When Jayalalithaa was admitted at Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Jayakumar was allegedly not allowed to meet her aunt. Jayakumar is the daughter of Jayalalithaa’s brother. There were reports of friction within the family after Jayalalithaa adopted Sasikala’s nephew. She apparently did not meet Jayalalithaa since 2007.
