Tamil Nadu: Jayalalithaa's trusted aide Sheela Balakrishnan asked to quit by CM Panneerselvam

Reversing the appointments made by former CM of Tamil Nadu late Jayalalithaa, three top bureaucrats of the state government have been asked to resign by CMO.

Sheela Balakrishnan, KN Venkataramanan and Ramalinga have been asked to put in their papers by CM O Panneerselvam. According to a News Minute report, the CM was acting on instructions from Sasikala.

All three officers were considered to be close to Jayalalithaa.  

While Sheela Balakrishnan has already quit, she was working as the advisor to the government following her retirement as Chief Secretary. She was considered Jayalalithaa's "eyes and ears" and it is believed that during Amma's hospitalisation prior to her death, she was running the government. She was also the point person between O Panneerselvam, the then Deputy Chief Minister, and Jayalalithaa. 

Venkataramanan and Chief Minister's Secretary Ramalinga are yet to step down. Venkataramanan retired as Principal Secretary (III) in 2012, but was given a five-year extension.

The report also states that leaders in AIADMK had claimed that 'Sasikala would make some big moves soon.'