![With Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promising a probe into the serious allegations, the AIADMK leaders lawyer Ashokan also described the report as \baseless allegations to damage Ms Sasikalas image.\](https://images.deccanchronicle.com/dc-Cover-st7ic3nd5mj11eqa6muum6lv91-20170714060006.Medi.jpeg "With Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promising a probe into the serious allegations, the AIADMK leaders lawyer Ashokan also described the report as \baseless allegations to damage Ms Sasikalas image.\")
Chennai: Supreme Court dismissing V.K. Sasikala’s petition seeking review of four-year jail term awarded to her in DA case is expected provide further push for the EPS-OPS faction of the AIADMK in its efforts to remove her from the general secretary post and showing the door for entire family from the ruling party.
With even the remote chance of Sasikala’s conviction being reviewed diminishing and it is becoming certain that the long-time aide of late J. Jayalalithaa will remain in the Parapana Agrahara prison till February 2021, the AIADMK would be emboldened in acting against her as they have an “excuse” that she cannot function from the jail for four long years.
Political analysts said the ruling would lead to a “decent exit” for Sasikala from the post as well as the party. “EPS-OPS faction would now have a reason for removing her from the post. They can cite her stay in jail for her removal since it would be impossible for her to escape the jail term now. So, they will get a renewed push to boot out the family,” political analyst Ravindran Duraisamy told Deccan Chronicle.
He said since Edappadi K. Palaniswami owes his Chief Minister post to Sasikala, he might have been hesitant to act against her. “But with the SC ruling, he can move forward. One has to remember that removal of Sasikala from the post is one of the pre-conditions put forth by OPS for a merger,” he said.
Senior journalist and political analyst Gnani Sankaran is also of the opinion that the ruling would only be detrimental to the Sasikala family. “This is certainly a setback to Sasikala and her family. This would only spur targeting of Sasikala in the party. Those opposed to her would make it a big issue and ensure that she does not stay in the party,” Gnani Sankaran said.
AIADMK insiders said though there was no surprise element in the Supreme Court ruling, the verdict has come as a major blow to Dhinakaran, who is battling for his survival in the party, in addition to Sasikala. They also pointed out the impending order from the Election Commission on Sasikala’s appointment as interim general secretary of the AIADMK.
“Already both Sasikala and Dhinakaran have been sidelined from the party and the court ruling would only help formalize their ouster,” a senior AIADMK leader said.
