Don't let rivals exploit crisis: Sasikala Natarajan

 Chennai: AIADMK general secretary V. K. Sasikala on Monday called upon her party members to thwart the attempts of political adversaries bent upon exploiting the "crisis" caused by the "sudden" demise of her predecessor and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

The “defeated enemies,” she said, are looking for a “issure in the strong citadel” and thereby cause a setback to the iconic AIADMK. “You should work harder with more determination and thwart such designs. This should be the goal on the birth centenary of party founder M.G. Ramachandran,” she urged. Without mentioning anyone or party in particular,  Sasikala said in her message to party members on the eve of MGR’s birth centenary that none could fill the void left behind by Jayalalitha.

“Though none can fill the void left by Purathchi Thalaivi Amma, there is a big responsibility before crores of party workers who are AIADMK’s base. You should not allow the enemies to exploit the crisis created by the sudden demise of Amma by any means,” she appealed.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam will lead the state in paying floral tributes to Bharat Ratna MGR's portrait at TN Dr. MGR Medical College here on Tuesday.

Paying rich tributes to MGR, general secretary of Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchi E. R. Eswaran said more than the principles for which it stood for, the AIADMK emerged from the love showered by MGR on the people. “This did not happen in a year or two. He had established rapport with the people over the years through films and political meetings. And the Kongu people showered their love and affection on MGR,” he said.

MGR’s adopted daughter extends support to Sasikala

Sudha Vijayakumar, adopted daughter of AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran, on Monday endorsed V.K. Sasikala taking over as the general secretary of the party.

“We accept Sasikala madam one hundred per cent. The party should not split (in the wake of Jayalalithaa’s death) and we are confident she will protect it,” Sudha said.

Speaking to reporters at the Ramapuram Gardens, where MGR spent most part of his life, she said Sasikala, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and senior party leaders would participate in the MGR centenary celebrations at the Gardens.