Jayalalithaa loyalist slams Sasikala, says senior leaders being sidelined

AIADMK MLA and former minister KP Munusamy has spoken out against party general secretary VK Sasikala, alleging that senior party leaders are being sidelined.

KP Munusamy, an MLA from Krishnagiri constituency, was a Jayalalithaa loyalist and one of her trustworthy party members.

Munusamy also opposed the speech made by Sasikala's brother V Divakaran at a Pongal event on Sunday, wherein the latter said that only Sasikala and her family members were instrumental in protecting the party from evil forces.

Sasikala's brother made the speech in Mannargudi town of Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu.

The attack comes in the wake of growing speculations surrounding Sasikala eventually taking over as the state's chief minister.

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DOUSING THE FIRE

Following former minister Munusamy's attack on Sasikala and her family, AIADMK MP K Ashok Kumar tried to douse the fire.

Kumar, an MP from Krishnagiri constituency, clarified that Munusamy has no problem in working under the leadership of VK Sasikala.

Kumar said the former minister did not approve of the speech by Sasikala's brother.

In his speech, Divakaran reportedly claimed that Sasikala's husband Natrajan was instrumental in saving the party during the split and bringing back the party symbol of 'twin leaves'.

This comment, said Kumar, did not go well with former minister and MLA Munusamy. "Amma was the one who fought and got back the symbol," said Ashok.

ALSO READ: Sasikala Natarajan era begins in AIADMK: Jayalalithaa's aide elected party General Secretary

FISSURE IN THE CASTLE?

Meanwhile, in a message to party men on the eve of the birth centenary of AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran, Sasikala said no one can fill the void left behind by Jayalalithaa.

"Although none can fill the void left behind by Purathchi Thalaivi Amma (revolutionary leader mother), there is a big responsibility before crores of party workers who are its roots... That is to ensure that they don't allow enemies to exploit the crisis created by the sudden demise of Amma by any means," she said today without referring to anyone.

The "defeated enemies" are looking for a "fissure in the strong castle" and see if they can make some redemption, Sasikala said.

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