CHENNAI: In a hint that the AIADMK will continue to be led by a woman, the regional party sent out a series of official party releases tracked Sasikala's 'official' engagements, referring to her as 'Chinamma'. The releases mark the first time the party referred to her with the tag in official releases even though other statements and posts on the party's official Twitter handle refer to her as 'Thirumathi Sasikala'.
AIADMK released two photographs, featuring Sasi. The first image shows her with staff members of the news section of pro-AIADMK channel Jaya TV, paying tributes to the late leader and her Poes Garden residence, while the second shows Sasi surrounded by party office-bearers. The images were tweeted by the party on its Twitter handle with the caption "AIADMK party functionaries today urged Thirumathi Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by Puratchi Thalaivi Amma."
A close associate of Amma, Sasikala has been strongly endorsed by TN chief minister O Panneerselvam, state ministers and party MPs, many of whom met her at her residence last week. The CM said she would become general secretary and lead the party, in a statement. Referring to Sasikala as Chinnamma, Panneerselvam said she was involved in all the party activities and knows each and every party worker. He added she should become general secretary to ensure the organisation continues to function "in a regimented way like an army" like it did under Jaya.
Panneer also pointed that Sasikala had been Amma's "trusted aide" and had imbibed her own thoughts and working style in her as she had been by her side for over three decades.
280 persons died of 'shock'
An AIADMK released said that a total of 280 people died of 'shock' over the demise of Jayalalithaa. Such deceased persons were from different parts of the state, including Chennai, Vellore, Tiruvallore, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Krishnagiri, Erode and Tirupur districts. The party condoled their death and announced a welfare fund of Rs 3000,000 each to families of the deceased.
