Saturday, March 31, 2012

Jayalalithaa revokes expulsion of former aide Sasikala

Chennai:  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa today revoked the expulsion of her close aide Sasikala. In December, Ms Sasikala, who lived with the Tamil Nadu chief minister in her home, was expelled by Ms Jayalalithaa from her party, the AIADMK.

"VK Sasikala has sent a letter to me. She had also issued a statement with the same content. I accept the explanation," Jayalalithaa said in a statement here.

"The disciplinary action against Sasikala is cancelled," she said.

Ms Jayalalithaa's decision comes days after Ms Sasikala snapped ties with her own family for 'betraying' the party supremo.

"I've snapped ties with all those who betrayed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa," Ms Sasikala had told Jaya TV on Wednesday, the official channel of the Chief Minister's party. "I can't forgive my relatives who worked against her," she added. Ms Sasikala's husband Natarajan and brother Diwakaran have been arrested for alleged land-grabbing.

Ms Jayalalithaa, whose move expelling her long-time confidante sent ripples in state political circles, however, said the action against Sasikala's relatives, including her husband M Natarajan, stands.

"Party workers should not have any contact with them," she said.

Though Ms Jayalalithaa had not discussed the reasons for her estrangement with Ms Sasikala, party sources say that the Chief Minister had got tired of her friend interfering with administrative issues, including the postings of bureaucrats. AIADMK sources said those close to the Chief Minister had warned her of  a plan by Ms Sasikala's family to take over the party if Ms Jayalalithaa is convicted in a corruption case. 

Ms Sasikala is on trial for allegedly misusing her earlier terms as chief minister for vast personal gains.

In her letter Ms Sasikala had said, "I don't have any ambition to enter politics, nor to become an MLA or a Minister. I've dedicated my life to my sister, Jayalalithaa."

The statement had hinted at a possible reconciliation, which took place today. "I've not thought ill of Jayalalithaa even in my dream," said Ms Sasikala. "I lived at Jayalalithaa's residence for 24 years. She too accepted me as her sister."

The main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, had described Ms Sasikala's estrangement from the Chief Minister as a staged drama. The DMK had alleged that Ms Jayalalithaa wanted to distance herself temporarily from Ms Sasikala so the latter could serve as scapegoat in the corruption case against the Chief Minister.

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