Chennai, March 13: VK Sasikala, a close aide of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and the former interim general secretary of the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), announced the name of her new political party on Friday. The party has been named ‘All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam,’ with the election symbol of ‘Coconut Grove.’
During a press conference, Sasikala expressed, “Today is a very significant day for me. I have started this party to save the people of Tamil Nadu from the DMK. The AIADMK was formed for the welfare of the poor, but everything changed after Jayalalithaa’s demise.”
Recalling the founder of AIADMK, M.G. Ramachandran, she stated, “Just as MGR started a party for the people, I have found myself in a situation where I had to start a new party.”
Sasikala further mentioned, “This party has been formed by workers who follow the path shown by MGR and Jayalalithaa. Its election symbol is ‘Coconut Grove.’ A single tree cannot make a grove. Only when many trees come together can they form a grove. We will meet people and explain what we will do for the state and how the government has failed in its duties.”
Earlier, on March 1, Sasikala had announced her intention to start a new Dravidian party and also released the party flag on the occasion of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s 78th birth anniversary.
It is noteworthy that AIADMK had recently suspended Sasikala from the party after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case. Following this, she was expelled from the party.
Sources indicate that Sasikala may field over 20 candidates in southern districts, where the Mukkulathor community, including the Thevar, Kallar, and Agamudayar groups, holds significant electoral influence. It is believed that her strategy will focus on consolidating this voter base.