<p>V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aiadmk-poll-symbol-impasse-sasikala-gets-hat-ops-gets-electricity-pole-13696"> E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction</a>(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has &quot;orally informed&quot;&nbsp;the party that &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol has been granted to it.</p>

<p>Maitreyan said he waiting for the &quot;hard copy&quot; from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/neither-sasikala-nor-panneerselvam-can-claim-aiadmk-symbol-election-commission-13649">the&nbsp;Election Commission</a>.</p>

<p>&quot;Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy,&quot; Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol case.</p>

<p>&quot;We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration,&quot; Palaniswami added.</p>

<p>The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission.</p>

<p>After former chief minister&nbsp;J.Jayalalithaa&#39;s death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.</p>


Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the ?Election Commission.

V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has "orally informed" the party that "two leaves" symbol has been granted to it. Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the Election Commission. "Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy," Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said. Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the "two leaves" symbol case. "We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration," Palaniswami added. The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission. After former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa's death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.

Election Commission has informed 'two leaves' symbol belongs to EPS-OPS faction: AIADMK MP

<p>Senior Tamil Nadu minister and AIADMK leader Dindigul Srinivasan has claimed that afraid of Sasikala, party leaders lied about Jayalalithaa&#39;s health last year so that people believe that she was improving.</p>

<p>No one was allowed to meet the late chief minister.</p>

<p>Whoever came, would be briefed by Sasikala&#39;s relatives that she was &quot;all right&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>Addressing a public meeting here late Friday night, he sought the pardon of AIADMK cadres and the public for lying about Jayalalithaa&#39;s health</p>

<p>Srinivasan said he was now coming out with the truth pushed by the situation</p>

<p>The fact was none including himself was allowed to see Jayalalithaa, who was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on September 22, 2016, claimed Srinivasan, who had also made such statements to the media last year</p>

<p>After prolonged treatment for infection and other complications, Jayalalithaa had died of a heart attack on December 5 last</p>

<p>Chief Minister K Palaniswami has recently announced a commission of inquiry would probe the death.</p>

<p>Present deputy chief minister and former rebel leader O Panneerselvam had pressed for a probe into the death of Jayalalithaa saying there were doubts in the minds of people</p>

<p>&quot;I seek a huge pardon from you. Please forgive me. We told lies Amma (Jayalalithaa) is eating sambar, chatni, tea etc so that you will believe that she is improving. In fact no body saw Amma eating idli or drinking tea or chatting... all are lies,&quot; Srinivasan said</p>

<p>Similarly, news about several leaders meeting Jayalalithaa in the hospital and their version that she was improving was also false, he claimed.</p>

<p>&quot;We were afraid of Sasikala at that time and lied about Jayalalithaa&#39;s health condition,&quot; he claimed</p>

<p>&quot;It is very common that sisters who fight inside the house will appear to be friendly outside. We did not want the secret of the party to get leaked... that is why we lied,&quot; he said</p>

<p>Referring to statements by people loyal to sidelined party leader T T V Dhinakaran that they had evidence to refute doubts over the treatment given to Jayalalithaa, he dared them to release these and face the inquiry commission to let the people know the truth</p>

<p>Srinivasan said it was they who made Sasikala as interim general secretary after Jayalalithaa&#39;s demise</p>

<p>&quot;We did that because Sasiskala claimed she was with Jayalalithaa and took care of her. But people thought otherwise. They were angry and asked why did you handover the party to the Sasikala clan,&quot; he said</p>

<p>He maintained that Sasikala was selected only due to the compulsion of the circumstances</p>

<p>A recent general council meeting of the party had annulled the appointment of Sasikala as interim general secretary and held as invalid all her decisions.</p>


The Tamil Nadu minister said that whoever came, would be briefed by Sasikala's relatives that she was 'all right'

Senior Tamil Nadu minister and AIADMK leader Dindigul Srinivasan has claimed that afraid of Sasikala, party leaders lied about Jayalalithaa's health last year so that people believe that she was improving. No one was allowed to meet the late chief minister. Whoever came, would be briefed by Sasikala's relatives that she was "all right", he said. Addressing a public meeting here late Friday night, he sought the pardon of AIADMK cadres and the public for lying about Jayalalithaa's health Srinivasan said he was now coming out with the truth pushed by the situation The fact was none including himself was allowed to see Jayalalithaa, who was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on September 22, 2016, claimed Srinivasan, who had also made such statements to the media last year After prolonged treatment for infection and other complications, Jayalalithaa had died of a heart attack on December 5 last Chief Minister K Palaniswami has recently announced a commission of inquiry would probe the death. Present deputy chief minister and former rebel leader O Panneerselvam had pressed for a probe into the death of Jayalalithaa saying there were doubts in the minds of people "I seek a huge pardon from you. Please forgive me. We told lies Amma (Jayalalithaa) is eating sambar, chatni, tea etc so that you will believe that she is improving. In fact no body saw Amma eating idli or drinking tea or chatting... all are lies," Srinivasan said Similarly, news about several leaders meeting Jayalalithaa in the hospital and their version that she was improving was also false, he claimed. "We were afraid of Sasikala at that time and lied about Jayalalithaa's health condition," he claimed "It is very common that sisters who fight inside the house will appear to be friendly outside. We did not want the secret of the party to get leaked... that is why we lied," he said Referring to statements by people loyal to sidelined party leader T T V Dhinakaran that they had evidence to refute doubts over the treatment given to Jayalalithaa, he dared them to release these and face the inquiry commission to let the people know the truth Srinivasan said it was they who made Sasikala as interim general secretary after Jayalalithaa's demise "We did that because Sasiskala claimed she was with Jayalalithaa and took care of her. But people thought otherwise. They were angry and asked why did you handover the party to the Sasikala clan," he said He maintained that Sasikala was selected only due to the compulsion of the circumstances A recent general council meeting of the party had annulled the appointment of Sasikala as interim general secretary and held as invalid all her decisions.

Afraid of Sasikala, we lied about Jayalalithaa's health: Tamil Nadu minister

<p>In a blow to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, the Supreme Court has dismissed her petiton seeking a review of its order convicting her along with two others in the disproportionate assets case.</p>

<p>&quot;We do not find any error in the common judgment impugned, much less an apparent error on the face of the record, so as to call for its review. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed,&quot; a bench of Justices S A Bobde and Amitava Roy.</p>

<p>Sasikala and two other convicts - V N Sudhakaran, former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s foster son and Elavarasi, widow of Sasikala&#39;s elder brother - had filed a review petition challenging the setting aside of Karnataka high court order acquiting them.</p>

<p>The AIADMK leader was convicted by the apex court in February this year dealing a blow to her ambition of becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>The jailed leader, who once dominated the Tamil Nadu politics as close aide of Jayalalithaa, has been relegated to the margins within the AIADMk after the two <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aiadmk-merger-announced-panneerselvam-to-be-deputy-chief-minister-19241" target="_blank">rival factions led by O Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami merged</a> &nbsp;on Monday.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The apex court had convicted V K Sasikala along with two others in the disproportionate assets case in February

In a blow to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, the Supreme Court has dismissed her petiton seeking a review of its order convicting her along with two others in the disproportionate assets case. "We do not find any error in the common judgment impugned, much less an apparent error on the face of the record, so as to call for its review. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed," a bench of Justices S A Bobde and Amitava Roy. Sasikala and two other convicts - V N Sudhakaran, former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's foster son and Elavarasi, widow of Sasikala's elder brother - had filed a review petition challenging the setting aside of Karnataka high court order acquiting them. The AIADMK leader was convicted by the apex court in February this year dealing a blow to her ambition of becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The jailed leader, who once dominated the Tamil Nadu politics as close aide of Jayalalithaa, has been relegated to the margins within the AIADMk after the two rival factions led by O Panneerselvam and Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami merged on Monday.

SC rejects Sasikala's petition to review order in disproportionate asstes case

<p>Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam today said talks on the merger of factions led by him and Chief Minister K Palaniswami have moved a step forward and a &quot;good&quot; decision would be reached shortly.</p>

<p>&quot;I had informed that the merger talks are already progressing smoothly. It has progressed one more step...A good decision will be attained shortly as desired by you,&quot; he told reporters here after a meeting with his party functionaries.</p>

<p>Yesterday, Panneerselvam had said that talks on the merger of the factions were going on smoothly and a positive result was expected in a &quot;day or two&quot;.</p>

<p>Palaniswami, too, had said he was confident that &quot;both the factions would merge soon&quot;.</p>

<p>In Erode, AIADMK Amma faction veteran and Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan echoed him.</p>

<p>&quot;It will be a good decision and it will happen to the liking of the cadres and people,&quot; he told reporters referring to the &#39;positive views&#39; expressed by both Panneerselvam and Palaniswami.</p>

<p>Party sources indicated the merger might fructify tomorrow if an agreement was reached on the question of Sasikala&#39;s &quot;formal expulsion,&quot; as demanded by the Panneerselvam faction.</p>

<p>There were also some issues like the role envisaged for top functionaries of Panneerselvam camp including K P Munusamy and E Madhusudanan in the unified party, they said.</p>

<p>The merger talks have gained momentum after Palaniswami on August 17 announced that an inquiry commission would be set up to probe the death of late chief minister Jayalalithaa and her Poes Garden residence would be converted into a memorial, two of the key demands put forth by Panneerselvam camp.</p>

<p>Though the merger was expected to materialise on Friday night, it did not come through amid reported divergent views among the members of the Panneerselvam faction.</p>

<p>However, Panneerselvam cleared the air yesterday, saying a positive result was expected in a day or two.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam, a former chief minister, had revolted against the leadership of jailed party chief V K Sasikala in February last, causing a split in the party.</p>


Yesterday, Panneerselvam had said that talks on the merger of the factions were going on smoothly and a positive result was expected in a 'day or two'

Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam today said talks on the merger of factions led by him and Chief Minister K Palaniswami have moved a step forward and a "good" decision would be reached shortly. "I had informed that the merger talks are already progressing smoothly. It has progressed one more step...A good decision will be attained shortly as desired by you," he told reporters here after a meeting with his party functionaries. Yesterday, Panneerselvam had said that talks on the merger of the factions were going on smoothly and a positive result was expected in a "day or two". Palaniswami, too, had said he was confident that "both the factions would merge soon". In Erode, AIADMK Amma faction veteran and Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan echoed him. "It will be a good decision and it will happen to the liking of the cadres and people," he told reporters referring to the 'positive views' expressed by both Panneerselvam and Palaniswami. Party sources indicated the merger might fructify tomorrow if an agreement was reached on the question of Sasikala's "formal expulsion," as demanded by the Panneerselvam faction. There were also some issues like the role envisaged for top functionaries of Panneerselvam camp including K P Munusamy and E Madhusudanan in the unified party, they said. The merger talks have gained momentum after Palaniswami on August 17 announced that an inquiry commission would be set up to probe the death of late chief minister Jayalalithaa and her Poes Garden residence would be converted into a memorial, two of the key demands put forth by Panneerselvam camp. Though the merger was expected to materialise on Friday night, it did not come through amid reported divergent views among the members of the Panneerselvam faction. However, Panneerselvam cleared the air yesterday, saying a positive result was expected in a day or two. Panneerselvam, a former chief minister, had revolted against the leadership of jailed party chief V K Sasikala in February last, causing a split in the party.

AIADMK merger talks have moved a step forward: Panneerselvam

<p>AIADMK party sources dismissed reports of an immediate merger between the two factions of the party late Friday, stating that a few &quot;ticklish&quot; issues had to be sorted out first.</p>

<p>Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam held consultations with his loyalists, while chief minister E Palaniswami held marathon talks with his cabinet colleagues.</p>

<p>Speculation is rife that the two factions of the AIADMK will be annoucing their merger soon.</p>

<p>News reports said there has been &quot;hectic political activity in Chennai&quot;.&nbsp;The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions met for over four hours today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial at Marina Beach had been decked up with flowers.&nbsp;However, it soon became apparent that there were hurdles to the merger talks, with leaders of both factions starting to leave the venue.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hectic political activity in Chennai with regard to possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMKMerger?src=hash">#AIADMKMerger</a> (visuals from outside OPS&#39;s residence) <a href="https://t.co/Y65FW2UMTv">pic.twitter.com/Y65FW2UMTv</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/898551365953179649">August 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: Leaders expected at J Jayalalithaa memorial after possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMKMerger?src=hash">#AIADMKMerger</a> <a href="https://t.co/8qxyEHjnGC">pic.twitter.com/8qxyEHjnGC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/898552053470871552">August 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami had on Thursday announced a judicial enquiry into Jayalalithaa&#39;s death, and that the former chief minister&#39;s Poes Garden home would be turned into a museum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That took care of two of the three conditions laid down by O Panneerselvam for a merger of the two parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The third condition was the removal of current party supremo VK Sasikala and members of her family from the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami had earlier this month removed Sasikala&#39;s nephew TTV Dinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary of the party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala herself is currently in a Bengaluru jail after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case.&nbsp;</p>


News reports said there has been 'hectic political activity in Chennai'

AIADMK party sources dismissed reports of an immediate merger between the two factions of the party late Friday, stating that a few "ticklish" issues had to be sorted out first. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam held consultations with his loyalists, while chief minister E Palaniswami held marathon talks with his cabinet colleagues. Speculation is rife that the two factions of the AIADMK will be annoucing their merger soon. News reports said there has been "hectic political activity in Chennai". The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam factions met for over four hours today. And that Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach had been decked up with flowers. However, it soon became apparent that there were hurdles to the merger talks, with leaders of both factions starting to leave the venue. Hectic political activity in Chennai with regard to possible #AIADMKMerger (visuals from outside OPS's residence) pic.twitter.com/Y65FW2UMTv — ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017 × Chennai: Leaders expected at J Jayalalithaa memorial after possible #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/8qxyEHjnGC — ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2017 × Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami had on Thursday announced a judicial enquiry into Jayalalithaa's death, and that the former chief minister's Poes Garden home would be turned into a museum. That took care of two of the three conditions laid down by O Panneerselvam for a merger of the two parties. The third condition was the removal of current party supremo VK Sasikala and members of her family from the party. Palaniswami had earlier this month removed Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran from the post of deputy general secretary of the party. Sasikala herself is currently in a Bengaluru jail after she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case.

AIADMK merger deferred for now: Party sources

<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami has taken another potshot at TTV Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &quot;apt word for him is 420,&quot; ANI reported Palaniswami as saying about Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, who is the chief of the AIADMK&#39;s EPS (Palaniswami) faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala is currently in jail; she had appointed Dinakraran the party&#39;s deputy general secretary just before being imprisoned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami had on Thursday said Dinakaran&#39;s appointment as deputy general secretary was &quot;not acceptable&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His comments are being seen as a signal to the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction of the AIADMK and as setting the stage for the merger of the two factions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of Panneerselvam&#39;s conditions for a merger was the ouster of Dinakaran.&nbsp;</p>


His comments are being seen as a signal to the rebel faction of the AIADMK led by O Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami has taken another potshot at TTV Dinakaran. The "apt word for him is 420," ANI reported Palaniswami as saying about Dinakaran. Dinakaran is the nephew of VK Sasikala, who is the chief of the AIADMK's EPS (Palaniswami) faction. Sasikala is currently in jail; she had appointed Dinakraran the party's deputy general secretary just before being imprisoned. Palaniswami had on Thursday said Dinakaran's appointment as deputy general secretary was "not acceptable". His comments are being seen as a signal to the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction of the AIADMK and as setting the stage for the merger of the two factions. One of Panneerselvam's conditions for a merger was the ouster of Dinakaran.

'Apt word for him is 420': Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami on Dinakaran

<p>Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of J Jayalalithaa, was prevented from entering the former Tamil Nadu chief minister&#39;s Poes Garden residence this afternoon.</p>

<p>Deepa Jayakumar, who floated her own party the MGR Amma Deepa Peravai after Jayalalithaa&#39;s death, said she was prevented from entering Poes Garden by her brother Deepak, who she has accused of joining the Sasikala camp.</p>

<p>&quot;Looks like Deepak Kumar cheated us by joining Sasikala,&quot; Deepa Jayakumar told ANI.</p>

<p>She also alleged that Deepak had &quot;connived&quot; with Sasikala to &quot;plot&quot; Jayalalithaa&#39;s death.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He (Deepak Jayakumar) called me at 5:30 am, asked me come to Poes Garden today, now you are not allowing me to go inside: Deepa Jayakumar <a href="https://t.co/aFOh9RIYAC">pic.twitter.com/aFOh9RIYAC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/873831015168569344">June 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stopped frm entering Poes Garden,we are being humiliated,looks like Deepak Jayakumar hs cheated us by joining Sasikala camp: Deepa Jayakumar <a href="https://t.co/x99M5mwNjA">pic.twitter.com/x99M5mwNjA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/873798947785015298">June 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai:Visuals from Poes Garden residence of frmr TN CM Jayalalithaa where Deepa Jayakumar, niece of Jayalalithaa reached a short while ago <a href="https://t.co/YgYF2fMvRb">pic.twitter.com/YgYF2fMvRb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/873784194920357888">June 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>AIADMK Amma camp sources, who were present at the residence, denied that Deepa was attacked. They said she made an unscheduled visit and wanted to garland a portrait of her late aunt kept in the front porch of the sprawling house.</p>

<p>Deepa was allowed to garland the portrait after which she wanted to enter the house, which was not permitted, they said.</p>

<p>&quot;Suddenly, she wanted to enter the house to which we said we don&#39;t have the authority to allow. We also pointed to her that the house was locked and asked her to leave the premises,&quot; the sources told PTI.</p>

<p>&quot;If anybody violates law, the law will take its own course. That is what has happened,&quot;Tamil Nadu minister D Jayakumar told ANI.</p>

<p>Sasikala, chief of the AIADMK Amma faction -- formed after the AIADMK split into rival factions after Jayalalithaa&#39;s death -- is currently in jail after being sentenced by the top court in a disproportionate assets case.</p>

<p>Sasikala, a close aide of Jayalalithaa, stayed the Poes Garden residence, Veda Nilayam, with her.</p>

<p>Deepa Kumar claims she is legal heir to the Poes Garden property.</p>

<p>The front portion of the house was thrown open to the general public after Jayalalithaa&#39;s death in December.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Deepa Jayakumar, who floated her own party the MGR Amma Deepa Peravai after Jayalalithaa's death, said she was stopped from entering Poes Garden by her brother Deepak

Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of J Jayalalithaa, was prevented from entering the former Tamil Nadu chief minister's Poes Garden residence this afternoon. Deepa Jayakumar, who floated her own party the MGR Amma Deepa Peravai after Jayalalithaa's death, said she was prevented from entering Poes Garden by her brother Deepak, who she has accused of joining the Sasikala camp. "Looks like Deepak Kumar cheated us by joining Sasikala," Deepa Jayakumar told ANI. She also alleged that Deepak had "connived" with Sasikala to "plot" Jayalalithaa's death. He (Deepak Jayakumar) called me at 5:30 am, asked me come to Poes Garden today, now you are not allowing me to go inside: Deepa Jayakumar pic.twitter.com/aFOh9RIYAC — ANI (@ANI_news) June 11, 2017 × Stopped frm entering Poes Garden,we are being humiliated,looks like Deepak Jayakumar hs cheated us by joining Sasikala camp: Deepa Jayakumar pic.twitter.com/x99M5mwNjA — ANI (@ANI_news) June 11, 2017 × Chennai:Visuals from Poes Garden residence of frmr TN CM Jayalalithaa where Deepa Jayakumar, niece of Jayalalithaa reached a short while ago pic.twitter.com/YgYF2fMvRb — ANI (@ANI_news) June 11, 2017 × AIADMK Amma camp sources, who were present at the residence, denied that Deepa was attacked. They said she made an unscheduled visit and wanted to garland a portrait of her late aunt kept in the front porch of the sprawling house. Deepa was allowed to garland the portrait after which she wanted to enter the house, which was not permitted, they said. "Suddenly, she wanted to enter the house to which we said we don't have the authority to allow. We also pointed to her that the house was locked and asked her to leave the premises," the sources told PTI. "If anybody violates law, the law will take its own course. That is what has happened,"Tamil Nadu minister D Jayakumar told ANI. Sasikala, chief of the AIADMK Amma faction -- formed after the AIADMK split into rival factions after Jayalalithaa's death -- is currently in jail after being sentenced by the top court in a disproportionate assets case. Sasikala, a close aide of Jayalalithaa, stayed the Poes Garden residence, Veda Nilayam, with her. Deepa Kumar claims she is legal heir to the Poes Garden property. The front portion of the house was thrown open to the general public after Jayalalithaa's death in December. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Jayalalithaa's niece stopped from entering Poes Garden home, alleges conspiracy

<p>An Indian high court has ordered a man to be arrested for claiming to be the &quot;secret son&quot; of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Indian film actor Shoban Babu.</p>

<p>The Madras high court said&nbsp;J Krishnamoorthy was wasting the judiciary&#39;s time by claiming to be a legitimate heir of the former&nbsp;chief minister, who passed away on December 5, 2016.</p>

<p>The court ordered Krishnamoorthy&#39;s arrest as he has failed to provide genuine documents to back his claims.</p>

<p>On Monday (March 27), the crime branch police informed the court that the documents submitted to the court were forged.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Justice R Mahadevan told the police to &quot;secure the petitioner and take action action in accordance with law&quot;, The Hindu reported.</p>

<p>The court had warned the petitioner on March 17 that he would be jailed if the documents submitted by him proved to be fake.</p>

<p>Krishnamoorthy had claimed he was born on February 15, 1985 in Bangalore but because Jayalalithaa and Babu separated, he was given for adoption to a couple in Erode, over 400 kilometres from Tamil Nadu&#39;s capital city of Chennai.</p>

<p>The petitioner wanted the court to declare him as son and receive share of the late chief minister&#39;s properties, including her longtime residence at Poes gardens in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

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The court's injunction comes after the petitioner -- J Krishnamoorthy -- failed to provide credible documents to back his claim

An Indian high court has ordered a man to be arrested for claiming to be the "secret son" of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Indian film actor Shoban Babu. The Madras high court said J Krishnamoorthy was wasting the judiciary's time by claiming to be a legitimate heir of the former chief minister, who passed away on December 5, 2016. The court ordered Krishnamoorthy's arrest as he has failed to provide genuine documents to back his claims. On Monday (March 27), the crime branch police informed the court that the documents submitted to the court were forged. Justice R Mahadevan told the police to "secure the petitioner and take action action in accordance with law", The Hindu reported. The court had warned the petitioner on March 17 that he would be jailed if the documents submitted by him proved to be fake. Krishnamoorthy had claimed he was born on February 15, 1985 in Bangalore but because Jayalalithaa and Babu separated, he was given for adoption to a couple in Erode, over 400 kilometres from Tamil Nadu's capital city of Chennai. The petitioner wanted the court to declare him as son and receive share of the late chief minister's properties, including her longtime residence at Poes gardens in Chennai. (WION)

Indian high court orders arrest of Jayalalithaa's 'secret son'

<p>The two factions of the ruling party of India&#39;s southern Tamil Nadu state have decided on their election symbols, ending the weeks-long impasse.</p>

<p>While Team VK Sasikala has decided on &quot;hat&quot; as their symbol, Team O Panneerselvam will go with &quot;electricity pole&quot; sign, NDTV reported.</p>

<p>The other tweak is that party chief Sasikala will go by the name of AIADMK Amma and the rival bloc&nbsp;has opted for AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.</p>

<p>The two warring groups were compelled to make the alterations after the Election Commission -- the agency that manages all elections in India -- froze the original party symbol, which is &quot;two leaves&quot;.</p>

<p>Both the groups claimed their legitimacy over the &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol before the Election Commission nixed their claims.</p>

<p>Sasikala said her party had the right to use the symbol while Panneerselvam argued Sasikala&#39;s election as the AIADMK general secretary was &quot;invalid and illegal&quot;.</p>

<p>The changes come days before the bypolls in RK Nagar constituency, the seat lying vacant since the death of Tamil Nadu&#39;s then chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa&#39;s death triggered a bitter battle between O Panneerselvam and Sasikala in February, 2017.</p>

<p>O Panneerselvam, who was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu at the time, accused party chief Sasikala of forcing him to step down from the post to pave way for her to head the southern state.</p>

<p>What followed was a litany of accusations flying from both sides, eventually culminating in Panneerselvam and his aides&nbsp;being ousted from the party.</p>

<p>The rivalry has escalated to such levels that both factions have fielded their own candidates in the highly-charged RK Nagar constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Panneerselvam camp has put its money on E Madusudanan while Sasikala has gone with AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran. Today (March 23) is the last day to file nominations for the bypolls.</p>

<p>The election will take place on April 12.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

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Also, Sasikala's bloc will go by the name of AIADMK Amma and the rival group has opted for AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma

The two factions of the ruling party of India's southern Tamil Nadu state have decided on their election symbols, ending the weeks-long impasse. While Team VK Sasikala has decided on "hat" as their symbol, Team O Panneerselvam will go with "electricity pole" sign, NDTV reported. The other tweak is that party chief Sasikala will go by the name of AIADMK Amma and the rival bloc has opted for AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. The two warring groups were compelled to make the alterations after the Election Commission -- the agency that manages all elections in India -- froze the original party symbol, which is "two leaves". Both the groups claimed their legitimacy over the "two leaves" symbol before the Election Commission nixed their claims. Sasikala said her party had the right to use the symbol while Panneerselvam argued Sasikala's election as the AIADMK general secretary was "invalid and illegal". The changes come days before the bypolls in RK Nagar constituency, the seat lying vacant since the death of Tamil Nadu's then chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December. Jayalalithaa's death triggered a bitter battle between O Panneerselvam and Sasikala in February, 2017. O Panneerselvam, who was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu at the time, accused party chief Sasikala of forcing him to step down from the post to pave way for her to head the southern state. What followed was a litany of accusations flying from both sides, eventually culminating in Panneerselvam and his aides being ousted from the party. The rivalry has escalated to such levels that both factions have fielded their own candidates in the highly-charged RK Nagar constituency. The Panneerselvam camp has put its money on E Madusudanan while Sasikala has gone with AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran. Today (March 23) is the last day to file nominations for the bypolls. The election will take place on April 12. (WION)

AIADMK poll symbol impasse: Sasikala gets 'hat', OPS gets 'electricity pole'

<p>The Tamil Nadu government has given a detailed account of the medical treatment provided to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa from the time she suffered a cardiac arrest until her death on December 5 last year.</p>

<p>The government said it had made the medical records public in order to put at rest speculation surrounding her hospitalisation, treatment and death.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu health secretary J Radhakrishnan told ANI that the report was a &quot;self-explanatory&quot; one and that &quot;no information had been held back&quot;.</p>

<p>The report was disclosed to the public after the the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) handed over Jayalalithaa&#39;s health record to the state&#39;s health secretary J Radhakrishnan.</p>

<p>Excerpts from the report state that the best possible treatment was provided to the former Tamil Nadu chief minister after she suffered a massive cardiac arrest on December 4.</p>

<p>It adds that Jayalalithaa&#39;s health condition was conveyed to senior leaders and political ministers, including O Panneerselvam, her close aide Sasikala, and government officials including the chief secretary and the health secretary.</p>

<p>It says that &quot;all of them understood the situation and asked the medical team to act as per the standard protocol.&quot;<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">TN Govt makes Jayalalithaa&#39;s medical records public,says did so to put at rest speculation surrounding her hospitilaisation, treatment&amp;death <a href="https://t.co/uD5UmyDP6C">pic.twitter.com/uD5UmyDP6C</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/838732850333569029">March 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Self explanatory report; no info held back.No basis to hearsay speculations:TN Health Secy J Radhakrishnan on Jayalalithaa&#39;s medical report <a href="https://t.co/tpsJ3ZQk6I">pic.twitter.com/tpsJ3ZQk6I</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/838737506216607744">March 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Tamil Nadu Government had yesterday rejected Panneerselvam&#39;s claims about the death of former AIADMK chief.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabaskar accused Panneerselvam of spreading false information among the people regarding Jayalalithaa&#39;s health condition.</p>

<p>&quot;O Panneerselvam has been continuously spreading false information among people regarding health conditions of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. O Panneerselvam stands as the first culprit in the suspicions that he is now raising about the medical treatment that Amma was being given,&quot; Vijayabaskar said.</p>

<p>Twelve AIADMK MPs, belonging to the Panneerselvam camp, had met President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on February 28 and handed over a petition seeking a probe into the medical treatment provided to Jayalalithaa before her death.</p>

<p>The group also sought a probe into the incidents that occurred at Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden residence on September 22 before she was admitted to hospital.&nbsp;<br />
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(WION with inputs from ANI)</p>

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The report details the medical treatment provided to Jayalalithaa from the time she suffered a cardiac arrest until her death

The Tamil Nadu government has given a detailed account of the medical treatment provided to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa from the time she suffered a cardiac arrest until her death on December 5 last year. The government said it had made the medical records public in order to put at rest speculation surrounding her hospitalisation, treatment and death. Tamil Nadu health secretary J Radhakrishnan told ANI that the report was a "self-explanatory" one and that "no information had been held back". The report was disclosed to the public after the the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) handed over Jayalalithaa's health record to the state's health secretary J Radhakrishnan. Excerpts from the report state that the best possible treatment was provided to the former Tamil Nadu chief minister after she suffered a massive cardiac arrest on December 4. It adds that Jayalalithaa's health condition was conveyed to senior leaders and political ministers, including O Panneerselvam, her close aide Sasikala, and government officials including the chief secretary and the health secretary. It says that "all of them understood the situation and asked the medical team to act as per the standard protocol." TN Govt makes Jayalalithaa's medical records public,says did so to put at rest speculation surrounding her hospitilaisation, treatment&death pic.twitter.com/uD5UmyDP6C — ANI (@ANI_news) March 6, 2017 × Self explanatory report; no info held back.No basis to hearsay speculations:TN Health Secy J Radhakrishnan on Jayalalithaa's medical report pic.twitter.com/tpsJ3ZQk6I — ANI (@ANI_news) March 6, 2017 × The Tamil Nadu Government had yesterday rejected Panneerselvam's claims about the death of former AIADMK chief. Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabaskar accused Panneerselvam of spreading false information among the people regarding Jayalalithaa's health condition. "O Panneerselvam has been continuously spreading false information among people regarding health conditions of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. O Panneerselvam stands as the first culprit in the suspicions that he is now raising about the medical treatment that Amma was being given," Vijayabaskar said. Twelve AIADMK MPs, belonging to the Panneerselvam camp, had met President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on February 28 and handed over a petition seeking a probe into the medical treatment provided to Jayalalithaa before her death. The group also sought a probe into the incidents that occurred at Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence on September 22 before she was admitted to hospital. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Tamil Nadu government makes Jayalalithaa's medical records public

<p>By G Jagannath&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amidst the eviction of all 88 DMK MLAs who had gone on the rampage demanding a secret ballot, the Edappadi K Palaniswami government won the trust Saturday with 122 MLAs supporting it and 11 rebel MLAs led by O Panneerselvam voting against it.</p>

<p>History repeated itself in the Tamil Nadu Assembly when the DMK MLAs indulged in violence during the confidence motion, like in the 1988 trust vote of the VN Janaki government. Palaniswami won the confidence vote in which only the two warring factions of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and former chief minister O Panneerselvam participated after the eviction of all 88 DMK MLAs and a walkout by its ally Congress (8 MLAs) and IUML (1 MLA).</p>

<p>After alleging that he was manhandled in the Assembly by marshals, Leader of the Opposition and DMK working president MK Stalin, who came out of the House with a torn shirt, complained to Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao about the incidents in the Assembly and urged him to order a fresh floor test.</p>

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<h5>Any move to disqualify the nine rebel MLAs (Panneerselvam and Pandiarajan were expelled from the party) will be challenged in the court,&#39; said a political observer</h5>
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<p>Later, he protested by sitting in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Marina beach along with his MLAs and party cadres. Police detained him and other MLAs but there are reports of stone pelting on buses and road blocks across the state.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters at late Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial after winning the trust vote, Palaniswami said that Chinnamma&#39;s (Sasikala) vow has come true with his governing winning the confidence vote. &quot;The media have captured the atrocities committed by the DMK in the Assembly. They came planned to stall the confidence vote. However, they failed,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The House, which started at 11 am, was adjourned twice after DMK members created a ruckus, seeking secret voting. After the House met, Stalin, Panneerselvam and Congress floor leader KR Ramasamy demanded a secret ballot or an adjournment saying most MLAs were not in a free position to cast their votes. When the Speaker rejected their demand saying he would go for a division vote, infuriated DMK members rushed to the well of the House and gheraoed the Speaker. It soon turned violent with some MLAs breaking the Speaker&#39;s table and microphone. They also broke the Assembly secretary&#39;s chair and table and threw out the Assembly rule book.</p>

<p>Some members were seen standing in their chair, raising slogans. Even as some DMK MLAs tried to pull the Speaker, the marshals rescued him. Stalin and his deputy Duraimurugan remained a mute spectator to the violence unleashed by their party legislators.</p>

<p>When the Assembly met again at 1 pm, the Speaker expressed anguish over the humiliation he faced at the hands of DMK members. &quot;My shirt was torn by them,&quot; he said showing it to the members. However, Stalin expressed regret for it. Even as the Speaker asked Palaniswami to move the trust motion, DMK members were on their feet again and rushed to the well of the House. Dhanapal immediately ordered the eviction of all DMK MLAs and adjourned the House till 3 pm for the second time.</p>

<p>But DMK members were in no mood to leave the House as they staged a sit-in protest. The marshals had a tough time removing the protesting DMK members as they resisted. Each member, including Stalin, was forcefully taken out by the marshals.</p>

<p>When the House meet again after the second adjournment, it passed the confidence motion in division vote in the absence of DMK, Congress and IUML. After declaring that the government won the confidence vote with 122 votes, the Speaker said that even if the DMK members and other opposition parties took part in the voting, the government would have won the majority.</p>

<p>On the government winning the trust motion, Panneerselvam said that they have now passed the resolution saying the government has won the vote of confidence. &quot;Now people will judge them. When these MLAs go to the people, the voters will certainly question them. We will win the people&#39;s support to reinstall Amma&#39;s (Jayalalithaa) government,&quot; he told reporters.</p>

<p>Former school education minister K Pandiarajan, who is in the OPS camp, said: &quot;Had there been a secret ballot, MLAs would have voted against Palaniswami. We may have lost the battle but the war has just begun.&quot; On Saturday morning, the OPS faction appointed a senior leader and MLA S Semmalai as the party whip. &quot;Any move to disqualify the nine rebel MLAs (Panneerselvam and Pandiarajan were expelled from the party) will be challenged in the court. Moreover, the Sasikala camp will not risk by-election at this point of time considering the negative sentiment against it,&quot; said a political observer.</p>

<p>(This report firs appeared in DNA)</p>


'We may have lost the battle but the war has just begun,' said former education minister K Pandiarajan

By G Jagannath Amidst the eviction of all 88 DMK MLAs who had gone on the rampage demanding a secret ballot, the Edappadi K Palaniswami government won the trust Saturday with 122 MLAs supporting it and 11 rebel MLAs led by O Panneerselvam voting against it. History repeated itself in the Tamil Nadu Assembly when the DMK MLAs indulged in violence during the confidence motion, like in the 1988 trust vote of the VN Janaki government. Palaniswami won the confidence vote in which only the two warring factions of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and former chief minister O Panneerselvam participated after the eviction of all 88 DMK MLAs and a walkout by its ally Congress (8 MLAs) and IUML (1 MLA). After alleging that he was manhandled in the Assembly by marshals, Leader of the Opposition and DMK working president MK Stalin, who came out of the House with a torn shirt, complained to Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao about the incidents in the Assembly and urged him to order a fresh floor test. Any move to disqualify the nine rebel MLAs (Panneerselvam and Pandiarajan were expelled from the party) will be challenged in the court,' said a political observer × Later, he protested by sitting in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Marina beach along with his MLAs and party cadres. Police detained him and other MLAs but there are reports of stone pelting on buses and road blocks across the state. Speaking to reporters at late Jayalalithaa's memorial after winning the trust vote, Palaniswami said that Chinnamma's (Sasikala) vow has come true with his governing winning the confidence vote. "The media have captured the atrocities committed by the DMK in the Assembly. They came planned to stall the confidence vote. However, they failed," he said. The House, which started at 11 am, was adjourned twice after DMK members created a ruckus, seeking secret voting. After the House met, Stalin, Panneerselvam and Congress floor leader KR Ramasamy demanded a secret ballot or an adjournment saying most MLAs were not in a free position to cast their votes. When the Speaker rejected their demand saying he would go for a division vote, infuriated DMK members rushed to the well of the House and gheraoed the Speaker. It soon turned violent with some MLAs breaking the Speaker's table and microphone. They also broke the Assembly secretary's chair and table and threw out the Assembly rule book. Some members were seen standing in their chair, raising slogans. Even as some DMK MLAs tried to pull the Speaker, the marshals rescued him. Stalin and his deputy Duraimurugan remained a mute spectator to the violence unleashed by their party legislators. When the Assembly met again at 1 pm, the Speaker expressed anguish over the humiliation he faced at the hands of DMK members. "My shirt was torn by them," he said showing it to the members. However, Stalin expressed regret for it. Even as the Speaker asked Palaniswami to move the trust motion, DMK members were on their feet again and rushed to the well of the House. Dhanapal immediately ordered the eviction of all DMK MLAs and adjourned the House till 3 pm for the second time. But DMK members were in no mood to leave the House as they staged a sit-in protest. The marshals had a tough time removing the protesting DMK members as they resisted. Each member, including Stalin, was forcefully taken out by the marshals. When the House meet again after the second adjournment, it passed the confidence motion in division vote in the absence of DMK, Congress and IUML. After declaring that the government won the confidence vote with 122 votes, the Speaker said that even if the DMK members and other opposition parties took part in the voting, the government would have won the majority. On the government winning the trust motion, Panneerselvam said that they have now passed the resolution saying the government has won the vote of confidence. "Now people will judge them. When these MLAs go to the people, the voters will certainly question them. We will win the people's support to reinstall Amma's (Jayalalithaa) government," he told reporters. Former school education minister K Pandiarajan, who is in the OPS camp, said: "Had there been a secret ballot, MLAs would have voted against Palaniswami. We may have lost the battle but the war has just begun." On Saturday morning, the OPS faction appointed a senior leader and MLA S Semmalai as the party whip. "Any move to disqualify the nine rebel MLAs (Panneerselvam and Pandiarajan were expelled from the party) will be challenged in the court. Moreover, the Sasikala camp will not risk by-election at this point of time considering the negative sentiment against it," said a political observer. (This report firs appeared in DNA)

Tamil Nadu: After Palaniswami wins trust vote, Panneerselvam camp says fight still on

<p>The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to give AIADMK chief VK Sasikala any more time to surrender, after her lawyer said she needed it because she was unwell.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;You know the meaning of the word immediately?&quot; a judge snapped at her lawyer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala, her sister-in-law, and her nephew were found guilty yesterday in a disproportionate assets case dating back to 1996. (Former Tamil Nadu chief minister the late J Jayalalithaa was also an accused in the case.) The quartet were accused of having amassed a fortune worth more than Rs 60 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court had on Tuesday said Sasikala was to surrender immediately.</p>

<p>She did not.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VKSasikala?src=hash">#VKSasikala</a> visits Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial at Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach before heading to Bengaluru, pays floral tribute <a href="https://t.co/1t8C150GKf">pic.twitter.com/1t8C150GKf</a></p>
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<p>Instead, after her conviction, at a meeting with the AIADMK MLAs she was holed up with at the Golden Bay resort in Chennai, she first expelled caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam from the party and then had her loyalist Edappadi K Palanisamy elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala and Panneerselvam had been fighting to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;Now, with her conviction, Sasikala cannot hold public office for six years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Which leaves the question of who will become chief minister wide open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam, who had taken over as chief minister after the death of Jayalalithaa, had resigned from the post some time ago. He then did a sudden U-turn, saying he had been &quot;forced&quot; to resign.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Panneerselvam met with the Tamil Nadu governor.</p>

<p>He was preceded by Palanisamy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The governor will now have to take a call on whom he will invite to form the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, Pannerselvam has the public support of only 11 MLAs but his camp says he has the tacit support of at least 11 more. If he can get the support of these additional 11 MLAs, Palanisamy will have trouble mustering the majority he needs to form the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Stopover at Jaya&#39;s memorial</strong></p>

<p>There was even more drama on Wednesday.</p>

<p>After the Supreme Court said for a second time that Sasikala was to surrender immediately, she finally left Jayalalithaa&#39;s erstwhile Poes Garden residence. But instead of making her way directly to the authorities to surrender herself, she first made a stopover at Jayalalithaa&#39;s memorial on Marina beach where, news reports said, she made &quot;a might vow&quot;. &nbsp;(It is not yet completely clear what that vow might be.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala has to surrender in Bengaluru, to which she is making her way by road.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And finally, on Wednesday morning, she also inducted her nephews TTV Dinakaran and S Venkatesh into the party. Both of them had been expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran, who was expelled in 2011, has been made deputy general secretary of the AIADMK, thereby ensuring Sasikala will have control of the party from jail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

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She first makes a stopover at the Jaya memorial, then heads to Bengaluru -- where she has to surrender -- by road

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to give AIADMK chief VK Sasikala any more time to surrender, after her lawyer said she needed it because she was unwell. "You know the meaning of the word immediately?" a judge snapped at her lawyer. Sasikala, her sister-in-law, and her nephew were found guilty yesterday in a disproportionate assets case dating back to 1996. (Former Tamil Nadu chief minister the late J Jayalalithaa was also an accused in the case.) The quartet were accused of having amassed a fortune worth more than Rs 60 crore. The court had on Tuesday said Sasikala was to surrender immediately. She did not. #WATCH: #VKSasikala visits Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach before heading to Bengaluru, pays floral tribute pic.twitter.com/1t8C150GKf — ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017 × Instead, after her conviction, at a meeting with the AIADMK MLAs she was holed up with at the Golden Bay resort in Chennai, she first expelled caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam from the party and then had her loyalist Edappadi K Palanisamy elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party. Sasikala and Panneerselvam had been fighting to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Now, with her conviction, Sasikala cannot hold public office for six years. Which leaves the question of who will become chief minister wide open. Panneerselvam, who had taken over as chief minister after the death of Jayalalithaa, had resigned from the post some time ago. He then did a sudden U-turn, saying he had been "forced" to resign. On Tuesday, Panneerselvam met with the Tamil Nadu governor. He was preceded by Palanisamy. The governor will now have to take a call on whom he will invite to form the government. So far, Pannerselvam has the public support of only 11 MLAs but his camp says he has the tacit support of at least 11 more. If he can get the support of these additional 11 MLAs, Palanisamy will have trouble mustering the majority he needs to form the government. Stopover at Jaya's memorial There was even more drama on Wednesday. After the Supreme Court said for a second time that Sasikala was to surrender immediately, she finally left Jayalalithaa's erstwhile Poes Garden residence. But instead of making her way directly to the authorities to surrender herself, she first made a stopover at Jayalalithaa's memorial on Marina beach where, news reports said, she made "a might vow". (It is not yet completely clear what that vow might be.) Sasikala has to surrender in Bengaluru, to which she is making her way by road. And finally, on Wednesday morning, she also inducted her nephews TTV Dinakaran and S Venkatesh into the party. Both of them had been expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa. Dinakaran, who was expelled in 2011, has been made deputy general secretary of the AIADMK, thereby ensuring Sasikala will have control of the party from jail. (WION)

Supreme Court tells Sasikala to surrender immediately, a second time

<p>Launching a scathing attack on acting Chief Minster O&nbsp;Panneerselvam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam&nbsp;(AIADMK) general secretary VK&nbsp;Sasikala on Sunday blamed the former of trying to create a rift within the party and asked the workers to ensure that the government formed under later chief minister Jayalalithaa is kept alive.</p>

<p>In an emotional address to the party MLAs at Golden Bay resort, Sasikala&nbsp;said, &quot;Our only goal is to ensure that Amma&#39;s government should be kept alive. We have to ensure that for the third time running our government will come into power. I will work hard, I want you to work hard too&quot;.</p>

<p>Speaking about the comparisons made between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and her, Sasikala said that the former is a quiet person and she is like a &#39;little lion&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;People are comparing Panneerselvam and me. They feel that he&#39;s a quiet person, who listens to everyone, and on the other hand, look at me like a little lion. Because I was always with the lion. Everyone who is with the lion is a lion,&quot;&nbsp;Sasikala said. &quot;I will protect this party and this government till my dying breadth,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Asking all the party cadres to remain united, Sasikala said, &quot;You must all stay united. We must not let this chance go. We must not let the DMK win.&quot;</p>

<p>Sasikala also refuted allegations that she has held several party MLAs captive, to prevent them from joining Panneerselvam&#39;s camp and said that the defectors, along with the opposition, are spreading lies to split the party.</p>

<p>&quot;You can see for yourselves that no one has been locked up. You should see this and understand that the people who said MLAs are being locked up are lies. Some defectors and as well as our enemies are spreading false rumours to the media,&quot;&nbsp;Sasikala said.</p>

<p>Earlier today, Sasikala said that the AIADMK, under her leadership, would run the government for next four-and-half years.</p>

<p>Before heading to Koovathur to meet MLAs, Sasikala said she is being targeted by the opposition in the party for being a woman.</p>

<p>&quot;Things which are happening now are not new to us. There were attempts in past also, to divide the party. When MGR died, the AIADMK had to face similar situation. I witnessed a similar situation when Jayalalithaa was set to take over,&quot;&nbsp;she said, adding, &quot;It shows that there are some people, who cannot tolerate a lady&#39;s entry in electoral politics.&quot;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the number of AIADMK MPs joining Panneerselvam&#39;s group is increasing day-by-day. Panneerselvam has the support of the seven MLAs as of now. If he gets the support of 18 MLAs, Sasikala will not be able to form the government on her own.</p>

<p>In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, the AIADMK has 135 MLAs.</p>

<p>On February 5, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala was elected as the party&#39;s legislature leader, a step towards her elevation as chief minister of Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>Earlier, both sides called on the Governor, pressing their demand to invite them to form the government.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


Sasikala blamed Panneerselvam for creating a rift within the party and asked workers to ensure that Jayalalithaa's party endures

Launching a scathing attack on acting Chief Minster O Panneerselvam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary VK Sasikala on Sunday blamed the former of trying to create a rift within the party and asked the workers to ensure that the government formed under later chief minister Jayalalithaa is kept alive. In an emotional address to the party MLAs at Golden Bay resort, Sasikala said, "Our only goal is to ensure that Amma's government should be kept alive. We have to ensure that for the third time running our government will come into power. I will work hard, I want you to work hard too". Speaking about the comparisons made between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and her, Sasikala said that the former is a quiet person and she is like a 'little lion". "People are comparing Panneerselvam and me. They feel that he's a quiet person, who listens to everyone, and on the other hand, look at me like a little lion. Because I was always with the lion. Everyone who is with the lion is a lion," Sasikala said. "I will protect this party and this government till my dying breadth," she added. Asking all the party cadres to remain united, Sasikala said, "You must all stay united. We must not let this chance go. We must not let the DMK win." Sasikala also refuted allegations that she has held several party MLAs captive, to prevent them from joining Panneerselvam's camp and said that the defectors, along with the opposition, are spreading lies to split the party. "You can see for yourselves that no one has been locked up. You should see this and understand that the people who said MLAs are being locked up are lies. Some defectors and as well as our enemies are spreading false rumours to the media," Sasikala said. Earlier today, Sasikala said that the AIADMK, under her leadership, would run the government for next four-and-half years. Before heading to Koovathur to meet MLAs, Sasikala said she is being targeted by the opposition in the party for being a woman. "Things which are happening now are not new to us. There were attempts in past also, to divide the party. When MGR died, the AIADMK had to face similar situation. I witnessed a similar situation when Jayalalithaa was set to take over," she said, adding, "It shows that there are some people, who cannot tolerate a lady's entry in electoral politics." Meanwhile, the number of AIADMK MPs joining Panneerselvam's group is increasing day-by-day. Panneerselvam has the support of the seven MLAs as of now. If he gets the support of 18 MLAs, Sasikala will not be able to form the government on her own. In the 235-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, the AIADMK has 135 MLAs. On February 5, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala was elected as the party's legislature leader, a step towards her elevation as chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Earlier, both sides called on the Governor, pressing their demand to invite them to form the government. (ANI)

Sasikala breaks down, asks MLAs to keep Amma's government alive

<p>Even as five legislators and party spokesperson crossed over to the camp of incumbent Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, All India Anna Dravidi Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Sasikala&nbsp;alleged the Governor was deliberately delaying declaring her as chief minister.</p>

<p>Political uncertainty has gripped the state following Panneerselvam&#39;s revolt against the AIADMK general secretary. Sasikala met Tamil Nadu Governor &nbsp;C Vidyasagar Rao on February 9, staking her claim to form the government in the state.</p>

<p>Sasikala said delaying tactics were an attempt to &quot;create division in the party&quot;, adding that her supporters would launch a new kind of protest from Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;All party MLAs are fine and happy. We were waiting patiently till this moment for a reply from the Governor. Needed measures will be taken. From tomorrow onwards, we would begin a new kind of protest. Delaying tactics is an attempt to create divisions in the&nbsp;party,&quot; Sasikala told the press after meeting her MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly).</p>

<p>&quot;We are being patient because of our belief in fairness and trust in democracy. But, we can be patient only to a limit. Beyond that, we will decide what to do,&quot; warned Sasikala, close aide of former chief minister Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>Asked about the outcome of the meeting with the MLAs, currently lodged in a resort in capital Chennai, Sasikala said, &quot;After meeting the party MLAs, I feel happy.&quot;</p>

<p>Asked if she would sought any legal remedies in the issue, she said, &quot;Please wait and watch&quot;.</p>

<p>In her address to party workers at Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden residence, Sasikala claimed to have the support of 15 million&nbsp;people. &quot;It is my duty to lead the party and government. The maneuvering of a few people cannot hurt this mass movement which has 1.5 crore supporters left behind by Amma (Jayalalithaa),&quot; she said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Those in support of Panneerselvam</strong></p>

<p>MLA and school education K Pandiarajan and four Members of Parliament (MPs) -- PR Sundaram, K Ashok Kumar, V Sathyabama and Vanaroja -- switched over to Panneerselvam&#39;s camp on Saturday.</p>

<p>Party veteran and spokesperson C Ponnaiyan also drove to Panneerselvam&#39;s residence and offered his support. The Panneerselvam camp now has seven of the 135 MLAs, including him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other senior leaders of the AIADMK who have extended their support include former minister M M Rajendra Prasad, AIADMK number two&nbsp;Madhusudanan and Rajya Sabha MLA V Maitreyan, who urged President Pranab Mukherjee and the central government to take &quot;severe action&quot; against Sasikala, for her &quot;threatening&quot; statement against the Governor.</p>

<p>Sathyabama accused Sasikala of favouring those who were &quot;rejected&quot; by late Jayalalithaa. &quot;Today, those were rejected by Amma are holding big positions there (Sasikala group),&quot; Satyabama said, flanked by Panneerselvam and other leaders of his faction.</p>

<p>In a veiled attack on Jayalalithaa, Sathyabama said, &quot;A priest, though venerable, cannot become God, and similarly nobody can become Amma&quot;.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, AIADMK Presidium Chairman KA Sengottaiyan said all MLAs and ministers were behind Sasikala and keen to make her Chief Minister. &quot;All MLAs and ministers are unanimous in their thinking that we have to make her (Sasikala) Chief Minister and we are striving in this regard,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling Sasikala as the &quot;temporary general secretary&quot;, Panneerselvam said, &quot;The Council can only appoint a temporary general secretary. Proper elections have to be held to elect a general secretary according to the party by-laws. People are on my side&quot;.</p>

<p>The acting Chief Minister also said he has the support of the AIADMK leaders and would prove his majority in the assembly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Security has, meanwhile, been beefed up in the city with intensified patrolling and checking of places of accommodation to prevent anti-social elements from creating any law and order issues, police said.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI, ANI)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The AIADMK general secretary said the delay in her swearing-in ceremony was an attempt to divide her party

Even as five legislators and party spokesperson crossed over to the camp of incumbent Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, All India Anna Dravidi Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Sasikala alleged the Governor was deliberately delaying declaring her as chief minister. Political uncertainty has gripped the state following Panneerselvam's revolt against the AIADMK general secretary. Sasikala met Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on February 9, staking her claim to form the government in the state. Sasikala said delaying tactics were an attempt to "create division in the party", adding that her supporters would launch a new kind of protest from Sunday. "All party MLAs are fine and happy. We were waiting patiently till this moment for a reply from the Governor. Needed measures will be taken. From tomorrow onwards, we would begin a new kind of protest. Delaying tactics is an attempt to create divisions in the party," Sasikala told the press after meeting her MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly). "We are being patient because of our belief in fairness and trust in democracy. But, we can be patient only to a limit. Beyond that, we will decide what to do," warned Sasikala, close aide of former chief minister Jayalalithaa. Asked about the outcome of the meeting with the MLAs, currently lodged in a resort in capital Chennai, Sasikala said, "After meeting the party MLAs, I feel happy." Asked if she would sought any legal remedies in the issue, she said, "Please wait and watch". In her address to party workers at Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence, Sasikala claimed to have the support of 15 million people. "It is my duty to lead the party and government. The maneuvering of a few people cannot hurt this mass movement which has 1.5 crore supporters left behind by Amma (Jayalalithaa)," she said. Those in support of Panneerselvam MLA and school education K Pandiarajan and four Members of Parliament (MPs) -- PR Sundaram, K Ashok Kumar, V Sathyabama and Vanaroja -- switched over to Panneerselvam's camp on Saturday. Party veteran and spokesperson C Ponnaiyan also drove to Panneerselvam's residence and offered his support. The Panneerselvam camp now has seven of the 135 MLAs, including him. Other senior leaders of the AIADMK who have extended their support include former minister M M Rajendra Prasad, AIADMK number two Madhusudanan and Rajya Sabha MLA V Maitreyan, who urged President Pranab Mukherjee and the central government to take "severe action" against Sasikala, for her "threatening" statement against the Governor. Sathyabama accused Sasikala of favouring those who were "rejected" by late Jayalalithaa. "Today, those were rejected by Amma are holding big positions there (Sasikala group)," Satyabama said, flanked by Panneerselvam and other leaders of his faction. In a veiled attack on Jayalalithaa, Sathyabama said, "A priest, though venerable, cannot become God, and similarly nobody can become Amma". Meanwhile, AIADMK Presidium Chairman KA Sengottaiyan said all MLAs and ministers were behind Sasikala and keen to make her Chief Minister. "All MLAs and ministers are unanimous in their thinking that we have to make her (Sasikala) Chief Minister and we are striving in this regard," he said. Calling Sasikala as the "temporary general secretary", Panneerselvam said, "The Council can only appoint a temporary general secretary. Proper elections have to be held to elect a general secretary according to the party by-laws. People are on my side". The acting Chief Minister also said he has the support of the AIADMK leaders and would prove his majority in the assembly. Security has, meanwhile, been beefed up in the city with intensified patrolling and checking of places of accommodation to prevent anti-social elements from creating any law and order issues, police said. (WION with inputs from PTI, ANI)

Sasikala warns Tamil Nadu Governor for delay in swearing-in, will protest from today

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Faced with a revolt from O Panneerselvam, AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today sacked Panneerselvam&#39;s aide, G Ramachandran for anti-party activities.</p>

<p>Earlier, talking about Panneerselvam&#39;s &quot;revolt&quot; against her, the AIADMK general secretary said the &quot;betrayal&quot; will never win in the AIADMK and blamed arch rival DMK for trying to destabilise her from the party.</p>

<p>Sasikala hit out against former chief minister Panneerselvam, insisting that she had noticed &quot;Panneerselvam joining hands with DMK following their conversation in the Assembly,&quot; and added that she felt&nbsp;duty bound to prevent the next course of action from happening, referring to a &quot;revolt&quot;.</p>

<p>Media reports said Sasikala is set to fly to Delhi tonight to&nbsp;display her political strength by parading AIADMK MLAs before President&nbsp;Pranab Mukherjee.</p>

<p>In a dramatic turn of events early Wednesday, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had removed Tamil Nadu&#39;s interim chief minister Panneerselvam&nbsp;as the party&#39;s treasurer&nbsp;after he revolted against Sasikala and said that he was forced to resign as chief minister of the south Indian state.</p>

<p>Addressing the media outside his residence in Chennai, he said that he will prove his strength in the Assembly and also pledged to meet&nbsp;the people of Tamil Nadu in each and every city to prove his point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If party cadres ask me to withdraw my resignation, I will do that: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPanneerselvam?src=hash">#OPanneerselvam</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Mw14Dez5n">pic.twitter.com/6Mw14Dez5n</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829197968410570754">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I will meet the Governor once he is back here: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPanneerselvam?src=hash">#OPanneerselvam</a> in Chennai <a href="https://t.co/0i3PLwSYHU">pic.twitter.com/0i3PLwSYHU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829198977962803202">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I will prove my strength in the assembly: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPanneerselvam?src=hash">#OPanneerselvam</a> in Chennai <a href="https://t.co/5BnNdJIE5i">pic.twitter.com/5BnNdJIE5i</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829199580759785472">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I will accept Deepa&#39;s (J Jayalalithaa&#39;s niece) support, if offered: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPanneerselvam?src=hash">#OPanneerselvam</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829204012348108800">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Panneerselvam has now been replaced by&nbsp;Dindigul Sreenivasan.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam, during&nbsp;a surprise visit at the burial site of the former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, had claimed&nbsp;that the state&#39;s revenue minister, RB Udhayakumar, had told him that&nbsp;Sasikala should take over as chief minister, ANI reported.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At a meeting at Sasikala&#39;s place senior party leaders were present&amp;question of her being CM came.I asked how far was this justified: TN CM</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829010078061572096">February 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
Late Tuesday night, Panneerselvam made a surprise visit to Jayalalithaa&#39;s burial site at Marina beach. According to media reports, he reached the site at around 9 pm.</p>

<p>He then sat in meditation for the next 40 minutes. About half an hour later, he addressed the media gathered there, saying Amma&#39;s spirit had told him to clear the air, according to ANI.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam said, &quot;There are some truths that I want to tell to my party cadre and to the people of this country. I have performed my duty without any shortcomings and carried forward path shown by Amma. When she (Jayalalithaa) was in the hospital, she asked me to take over as Chief Minister. I was told that I have to save the party and the state. I was given the post but was then insulted continuously,&quot;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was given the CM post but insulted continuously: TN CM O.Panneerselvam</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829008619249102848">February 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hazL0HxMVQg" width="560"></iframe><centre>
<p>&quot;The question of Sasikala becoming Chief Minister came up during a meeting at her place. At the time I asked how this was even justified. However, the party leaders said I have to take an initiative towards making her the Chief Minister, and that&#39;s how I was forced to tender resignation,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soon after Panneerselvam was removed from the post of AIADMK treasurer, Sasikala alleged that the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was behind his revolt against her and also asserted that all the party MLAs were with her.</p>

<p>&quot;All the MLAs are there like a single family, so there is no problem,&quot; she told reporters at a crowded press meet.</p>

<p>Asked if Panneerselvam&nbsp;would also be removed from AIADMK&#39;s primary membership, she asserted, &quot;for sure, we will do it&quot;.</p>

<p>However, DMK Organisation Secretary&nbsp;TKS Elangovan said they were not behind Panneerselvam&#39;s revolt.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How can DMK be behind it? How can they blame us for their in-fight? Nothing new in AIADMK: TKS Elangovan, DMK <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPanneerselvam?src=hash">#OPanneerselvam</a> <a href="https://t.co/HO9aN4uEkR">pic.twitter.com/HO9aN4uEkR</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829172151831900160">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam too rubbished her claims that DMK&nbsp;was behind his moves. He said, &quot;Only humans can laugh and smiling at people cannot be a crime.&quot;</p>

<p>He also added that nobody had the right to remove him from the post of treasurer. &quot;No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago.&quot;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam has also alleged that during Jayalalithaa&#39;s final days, he couldn&#39;t meet her even once.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had visited hospital daily to enquire about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash">#Jayalalithaa</a>&#39;s health condition, but couldn&#39;t meet her even once: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPannerselvam?src=hash">#OPannerselvam</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829167009136979970">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Reactions</strong></p>

<p>Congress leader Karti Chidambaram told ANI that after Jayalalithaa&#39;s death, the Assembly should have been dissolved.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mandate was fr Jayalalithaa,as she passed away right thng for AIADMK should&#39;ve been to dissolve assembly fr elections-Karti Chidambaram,Cong <a href="https://t.co/w4WL2YZQBD">pic.twitter.com/w4WL2YZQBD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/828965840372408320">February 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Assembly must be dissolved n elections must be called for immediately. <a href="https://t.co/fzNQ6hog9r">https://t.co/fzNQ6hog9r</a></p>
&mdash; Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/KartiPC/status/829146358711922691">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>BJP leader Subramanian Swamy told ANI that Sasikala&#39;s swearing-in should not be delayed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SasikalaNatarajan?src=hash">#SasikalaNatarajan</a> should be sworn-in as CM;If delayed it&rsquo;ll be violence against Constitution;President must intervene-Subramanian Swamy,BJP <a href="https://t.co/gbOlDA84y3">pic.twitter.com/gbOlDA84y3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/829186273441099776">February 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>
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AIADMK general secretary Sasikala had earlier removed Panneerselvam as party's treasurer for 'revolting' against her

Faced with a revolt from O Panneerselvam, AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala today sacked Panneerselvam's aide, G Ramachandran for anti-party activities. Earlier, talking about Panneerselvam's "revolt" against her, the AIADMK general secretary said the "betrayal" will never win in the AIADMK and blamed arch rival DMK for trying to destabilise her from the party. Sasikala hit out against former chief minister Panneerselvam, insisting that she had noticed "Panneerselvam joining hands with DMK following their conversation in the Assembly," and added that she felt duty bound to prevent the next course of action from happening, referring to a "revolt". Media reports said Sasikala is set to fly to Delhi tonight to display her political strength by parading AIADMK MLAs before President Pranab Mukherjee. In a dramatic turn of events early Wednesday, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had removed Tamil Nadu's interim chief minister Panneerselvam as the party's treasurer after he revolted against Sasikala and said that he was forced to resign as chief minister of the south Indian state. Addressing the media outside his residence in Chennai, he said that he will prove his strength in the Assembly and also pledged to meet the people of Tamil Nadu in each and every city to prove his point. If party cadres ask me to withdraw my resignation, I will do that: #OPanneerselvam pic.twitter.com/6Mw14Dez5n — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × I will meet the Governor once he is back here: #OPanneerselvam in Chennai pic.twitter.com/0i3PLwSYHU — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × I will prove my strength in the assembly: #OPanneerselvam in Chennai pic.twitter.com/5BnNdJIE5i — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × I will accept Deepa's (J Jayalalithaa's niece) support, if offered: #OPanneerselvam — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × Panneerselvam has now been replaced by Dindigul Sreenivasan. Panneerselvam, during a surprise visit at the burial site of the former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, had claimed that the state's revenue minister, RB Udhayakumar, had told him that Sasikala should take over as chief minister, ANI reported. At a meeting at Sasikala's place senior party leaders were present&question of her being CM came.I asked how far was this justified: TN CM — ANI (@ANI_news) February 7, 2017 × Late Tuesday night, Panneerselvam made a surprise visit to Jayalalithaa's burial site at Marina beach. According to media reports, he reached the site at around 9 pm. He then sat in meditation for the next 40 minutes. About half an hour later, he addressed the media gathered there, saying Amma's spirit had told him to clear the air, according to ANI. Panneerselvam said, "There are some truths that I want to tell to my party cadre and to the people of this country. I have performed my duty without any shortcomings and carried forward path shown by Amma. When she (Jayalalithaa) was in the hospital, she asked me to take over as Chief Minister. I was told that I have to save the party and the state. I was given the post but was then insulted continuously," I was given the CM post but insulted continuously: TN CM O.Panneerselvam — ANI (@ANI_news) February 7, 2017 × "The question of Sasikala becoming Chief Minister came up during a meeting at her place. At the time I asked how this was even justified. However, the party leaders said I have to take an initiative towards making her the Chief Minister, and that's how I was forced to tender resignation," he added. Soon after Panneerselvam was removed from the post of AIADMK treasurer, Sasikala alleged that the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was behind his revolt against her and also asserted that all the party MLAs were with her. "All the MLAs are there like a single family, so there is no problem," she told reporters at a crowded press meet. Asked if Panneerselvam would also be removed from AIADMK's primary membership, she asserted, "for sure, we will do it". However, DMK Organisation Secretary TKS Elangovan said they were not behind Panneerselvam's revolt. How can DMK be behind it? How can they blame us for their in-fight? Nothing new in AIADMK: TKS Elangovan, DMK #OPanneerselvam pic.twitter.com/HO9aN4uEkR — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × Panneerselvam too rubbished her claims that DMK was behind his moves. He said, "Only humans can laugh and smiling at people cannot be a crime." He also added that nobody had the right to remove him from the post of treasurer. "No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago." Panneerselvam has also alleged that during Jayalalithaa's final days, he couldn't meet her even once. Had visited hospital daily to enquire about #Jayalalithaa's health condition, but couldn't meet her even once: #OPannerselvam — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × Reactions Congress leader Karti Chidambaram told ANI that after Jayalalithaa's death, the Assembly should have been dissolved. Mandate was fr Jayalalithaa,as she passed away right thng for AIADMK should've been to dissolve assembly fr elections-Karti Chidambaram,Cong pic.twitter.com/w4WL2YZQBD — ANI (@ANI_news) February 7, 2017 × Assembly must be dissolved n elections must be called for immediately. https://t.co/fzNQ6hog9r — Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) February 8, 2017 × BJP leader Subramanian Swamy told ANI that Sasikala's swearing-in should not be delayed. #SasikalaNatarajan should be sworn-in as CM;If delayed it’ll be violence against Constitution;President must intervene-Subramanian Swamy,BJP pic.twitter.com/gbOlDA84y3 — ANI (@ANI_news) February 8, 2017 × (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Sasikala sacks Panneerselvam's aide Ramachandran for anti-party activities

<p>Refraining to comment on&nbsp;AIADMK&nbsp;general secretary Sasikala Natarajan&#39;s appointment as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the Congress on Monday said they will have to wait for some time to know what the voters think of the change in the state leadership.</p>

<p>&quot;As the president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee S Thirunavukkarasar said, it is their choice and their selection. It is other party&#39;s internal problem. Chief minister O Panneerselvam proposed Sasikala&#39;s candidature for the chief minister post and it was seconded by all the ministers and MLAs. So, we cannot comment on that,&quot; Congress leader Hidayathulla told ANI.</p>

<p>&quot;And we&#39;ll have to wait for some time to know what the voters of Tamil Nadu are thinking about this,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan on Sunday was elected as the legislative leader of the party and with this, she is all set to take over as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala, J Jayalalithaa&#39;s closest aide since the 1980s, had handled party affairs on several occasions despite not holding any formal position in the AIADMK prior to the former chief minister&#39;s death.</p>

<p>She is called Chinnamma, meaning aunt, taking after Jayalalithaa -- who was popularly known among her legions of supporters as Amma (or mother). Sasikala will be the third woman chief minister of Tamil Nadu after Janaki Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sasikala has vowed to work for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and 'follow the principles of Amma'

Refraining to comment on AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan's appointment as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the Congress on Monday said they will have to wait for some time to know what the voters think of the change in the state leadership. "As the president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee S Thirunavukkarasar said, it is their choice and their selection. It is other party's internal problem. Chief minister O Panneerselvam proposed Sasikala's candidature for the chief minister post and it was seconded by all the ministers and MLAs. So, we cannot comment on that," Congress leader Hidayathulla told ANI. "And we'll have to wait for some time to know what the voters of Tamil Nadu are thinking about this," he added. AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan on Sunday was elected as the legislative leader of the party and with this, she is all set to take over as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala, J Jayalalithaa's closest aide since the 1980s, had handled party affairs on several occasions despite not holding any formal position in the AIADMK prior to the former chief minister's death. She is called Chinnamma, meaning aunt, taking after Jayalalithaa -- who was popularly known among her legions of supporters as Amma (or mother). Sasikala will be the third woman chief minister of Tamil Nadu after Janaki Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. (ANI)

Will have to wait to know what voters think: Congress on Sasikala as Tamil Nadu CM

<p>Late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s niece Deepa Jayakumar said on Tuesday that she would join the AIADMK, or float a new party, reported ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to the media, Deepa Jayakumar said, &quot;I have two options&mdash; to join AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a decision.&quot;</p>

<p>She also said that she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa&#39;s erstwhile position.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa was the erstwhile general secretary of the AIADMK, a position now occupied by Jayalalithaa&#39;s one-time aide and confidant Sasikala Natarajan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Sasikala&#39;s family is claiming that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas, this is false. There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don&#39;t know the reality,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Deepa had hinted at her entry into politics, saying it cannot be stopped.</p>

<p>&quot;My entry into politics cannot be stopped,&quot; she told supporters who had gathered at her Thyagaraya Nagar residence.</p>

<p>Supporters had thronged her residence, urging her to enter politics and carry forward the work of her late aunt Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>Deepa is the daughter of Jayalalithaa&#39;s only brother late Jayakumar.</p>

<p>She caught the media&#39;s attention recently when she alleged that she was not allowed to meet Jayalalithaa while the late AIADMK supremo was hospitalised for 75 days before she passed away on December 5 last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


She also said she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's erstwhile position

Late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar said on Tuesday that she would join the AIADMK, or float a new party, reported ANI. Speaking to the media, Deepa Jayakumar said, "I have two options— to join AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a decision." She also said that she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's erstwhile position. Jayalalithaa was the erstwhile general secretary of the AIADMK, a position now occupied by Jayalalithaa's one-time aide and confidant Sasikala Natarajan. "Sasikala's family is claiming that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas, this is false. There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don't know the reality," she added. Earlier this month, Deepa had hinted at her entry into politics, saying it cannot be stopped. "My entry into politics cannot be stopped," she told supporters who had gathered at her Thyagaraya Nagar residence. Supporters had thronged her residence, urging her to enter politics and carry forward the work of her late aunt Jayalalithaa. Deepa is the daughter of Jayalalithaa's only brother late Jayakumar. She caught the media's attention recently when she alleged that she was not allowed to meet Jayalalithaa while the late AIADMK supremo was hospitalised for 75 days before she passed away on December 5 last year. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Jayalalithaa's niece says she will join AIADMK, or float new party

<p>Amid cheers by thousands of supporters, VK Sasikala, close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, &nbsp;took charge as AIADMK general secretary, the top party post on Saturday.</p>

<p>&quot;Amma (Jayalalithaa) is always in my heart,&quot; an emotionally charged Sasikala said after assuming charge, adding she had been with Jayalalithaa for party meetings for over 33 years and that the AIADMK will continue to rule for many years.</p>

<p>The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder M G Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters here after she arrived in the midst of tight security.</p>

<p>She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>Sasikala formally assumed charge by signing papers after which she proceeded to address the gathering outside.</p>

<p>En route to the party office, she was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres who had gathered in large numbers.</p>

<p>Party activists had lined up on both sides of the road from the Poes Garden residence to the party headquarters at Royapettah to welcome her.</p>

<p>Sasikala, clad in a light green saree with a pink border, greeted them with folded hands.</p>

<p>Party flags, banners and festoons sporting bright images of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were put up on roads, all along from Poes garden to Royapettah.</p>

<p>AIADMK presidium chairman E Madusudanan, party treasurer and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, veteran party leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai, received Sasikala and accompanied her to the party office.</p>

<p>Party leaders led her to the office of the general secretary where she held discussions with Panneerselvam, who is also party treasurer, Madusudanan, Thambidurai, and others.</p>

<p>The AIADMK headquarters at Royapettah was spruced up for the occasion. A platform was set up near the MGR statue to facilitate Sasikala to pay tributes to the party founder before taking charge. Ministers, party MPs, MLAs also participated.</p>

<p>On December 29, a meeting of AIADMK&#39;s top decision making body, the general council, which was attended by all top leaders including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, took the decision to appoint her as part general secretary by adopting a resolution unanimously.</p>

<p>(PTI)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sasikala was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres of the AIADMK

Amid cheers by thousands of supporters, VK Sasikala, close aide of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, took charge as AIADMK general secretary, the top party post on Saturday. "Amma (Jayalalithaa) is always in my heart," an emotionally charged Sasikala said after assuming charge, adding she had been with Jayalalithaa for party meetings for over 33 years and that the AIADMK will continue to rule for many years. The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder M G Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters here after she arrived in the midst of tight security. She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa. Sasikala formally assumed charge by signing papers after which she proceeded to address the gathering outside. En route to the party office, she was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres who had gathered in large numbers. Party activists had lined up on both sides of the road from the Poes Garden residence to the party headquarters at Royapettah to welcome her. Sasikala, clad in a light green saree with a pink border, greeted them with folded hands. Party flags, banners and festoons sporting bright images of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were put up on roads, all along from Poes garden to Royapettah. AIADMK presidium chairman E Madusudanan, party treasurer and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, veteran party leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai, received Sasikala and accompanied her to the party office. Party leaders led her to the office of the general secretary where she held discussions with Panneerselvam, who is also party treasurer, Madusudanan, Thambidurai, and others. The AIADMK headquarters at Royapettah was spruced up for the occasion. A platform was set up near the MGR statue to facilitate Sasikala to pay tributes to the party founder before taking charge. Ministers, party MPs, MLAs also participated. On December 29, a meeting of AIADMK's top decision making body, the general council, which was attended by all top leaders including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, took the decision to appoint her as part general secretary by adopting a resolution unanimously. (PTI)

Sasikala takes over as chief of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK party

<p>More than three weeks after the demise of former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court on Thursday raised questions over the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and asked why her body can&#39;t be exhumed.</p>

<p>&quot;Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa&#39;s death,&quot; said Justice Vaidyanathan who was hearing a petition.</p>

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<h5>A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into &#39;questionable incidents&#39; around Jayalalithaa&#39;s death</h5>
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<p>&quot;When she was admitted in hospital, it was said that she was on&nbsp;proper diet. At least after her death now, truth should be revealed,&quot; Vaidyanathan said.</p>

<p>The judge also went on to say that the court could order the exhumation and post-mortem of Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s body, reported The News Minute.</p>

<p>A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into &ldquo;questionable incidents&rdquo;, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery, and the cardiac arrest resulting in her death, around Jayalalithaa&#39;s death.</p>

<p>Petitioner PA Joseph, a city resident, listed the sequence of events since Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s admission to Apollo Hospital here on September 22 and claimed that the &ldquo;secrecy&rdquo; preceding her death gave rise to &ldquo;grave doubts&rdquo; in the minds of the people.</p>

<p>The public interest litigation, which listed 12 respondents, including the Apollo Hospitals chairman, is likely to be taken up for hearing by the vacation bench of the court on December 29.</p>

<p>The petitioner pleaded that the commission must peruse all the records, reports and documents that are in possession of the government as well as the hospital and look into &ldquo;several questionable incidents&rdquo;, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery and the subsequent cardiac arrest resulting in her death on December 5.</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


'Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa's death,' said Justice Vaidyanathan

More than three weeks after the demise of former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court on Thursday raised questions over the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and asked why her body can't be exhumed. "Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa's death," said Justice Vaidyanathan who was hearing a petition. A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into 'questionable incidents' around Jayalalithaa's death × "When she was admitted in hospital, it was said that she was on proper diet. At least after her death now, truth should be revealed," Vaidyanathan said. The judge also went on to say that the court could order the exhumation and post-mortem of Jayalalithaa’s body, reported The News Minute. A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into “questionable incidents”, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery, and the cardiac arrest resulting in her death, around Jayalalithaa's death. Petitioner PA Joseph, a city resident, listed the sequence of events since Jayalalithaa’s admission to Apollo Hospital here on September 22 and claimed that the “secrecy” preceding her death gave rise to “grave doubts” in the minds of the people. The public interest litigation, which listed 12 respondents, including the Apollo Hospitals chairman, is likely to be taken up for hearing by the vacation bench of the court on December 29. The petitioner pleaded that the commission must peruse all the records, reports and documents that are in possession of the government as well as the hospital and look into “several questionable incidents”, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery and the subsequent cardiac arrest resulting in her death on December 5. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Why can't her body be exhumed? Madras HC raises questions over Jayalalithaa's death

<p>The AIADMK, at its general body meeting&nbsp;Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also adopted the resolution to work &quot;under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan&quot;.</p>

<p>Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s aide and confidante.</p>

<p>She held no official position within the party. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa&#39;s birthday be celebrated as &quot;National Farmers&#39; Day&quot;, and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


The post was formerly held by ex-Tamil Nadu chief minister and party supremo Jayalalithaa

The AIADMK, at its general body meeting Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary. It also adopted the resolution to work "under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan". Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's aide and confidante. She held no official position within the party. The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa. ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting. They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa's birthday be celebrated as "National Farmers' Day", and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize. (WION)

AIADMK elects Sasikala as party general secretary

<p>An expelled leader of an Indian regional party was assaulted by a crowd on Wednesday afternoon.</p>

<p>Sasikala Pushpa, an expelled member of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) -- which is the ruling party of India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu -- and her husband Lingeswara Thalagan sustained injuries when they tried to enter the party headquarters in Tamil Nadu&#39;s capital city Chennai.</p>

<p>Her lawyers were not spared either.</p>

<blockquote data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: Suspended AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa&#39;s lawyer attacked outside party office by AIADMK workers in Chennai. <a href="https://t.co/u10t63TmzX">pic.twitter.com/u10t63TmzX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/814031596391047168">December 28, 2016</a></blockquote>

<p><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

<p>Sasikala and her husband had gone to the AIADMK office to submit nomination papers for the post of party general secretary.</p>

<p>Sasikala was expelled from the party for her outbursts in the Indian Parliament on August 1.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The general secretary post has been lying vacant since the demise of the then state&nbsp;chief minister Jayalalithaa on December 5.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa&#39;s close aide Sasikala Natarajan is the favourite to take over the reins of the regional party.</p>

<p>Sasikala Pushpa&#39;s decision to contest for the post had riled vast swathes of AIADMK&#39;s cadre as the majority of them want Sasikala Natarajan to become the next party chief.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, hundreds of party members had massed outside the party office to prevent Saikala Pushpa from entering the premises.</p>

<blockquote data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">She(Sasikala Pushpa) is no more in AIADMK, what right does she have to come to the party office?:CR Saraswathy,AIADMK to ANI</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/814049919577133056">December 28, 2016</a></blockquote>

<p><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Sasikala Pushpa and her husband had gone to the party headquarters to submit nomination papers for the post of party general secretary

An expelled leader of an Indian regional party was assaulted by a crowd on Wednesday afternoon. Sasikala Pushpa, an expelled member of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) -- which is the ruling party of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu -- and her husband Lingeswara Thalagan sustained injuries when they tried to enter the party headquarters in Tamil Nadu's capital city Chennai. Her lawyers were not spared either. #WATCH: Suspended AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa's lawyer attacked outside party office by AIADMK workers in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/u10t63TmzX — ANI (@ANI_news) December 28, 2016 Sasikala and her husband had gone to the AIADMK office to submit nomination papers for the post of party general secretary. Sasikala was expelled from the party for her outbursts in the Indian Parliament on August 1. The general secretary post has been lying vacant since the demise of the then state chief minister Jayalalithaa on December 5. Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan is the favourite to take over the reins of the regional party. Sasikala Pushpa's decision to contest for the post had riled vast swathes of AIADMK's cadre as the majority of them want Sasikala Natarajan to become the next party chief. On Wednesday, hundreds of party members had massed outside the party office to prevent Saikala Pushpa from entering the premises. She(Sasikala Pushpa) is no more in AIADMK, what right does she have to come to the party office?:CR Saraswathy,AIADMK to ANI — ANI (@ANI_news) December 28, 2016 (WION)

AIADMK's expelled leader Sasikala assaulted by partymen

<p>The ruling AIADMK on Thursday strongly backed former chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s&nbsp;close aide VK Sasikala to succeed her as party General Secretary, saying she qualifies to be&nbsp;elected &quot;automatically&quot; and &quot;unanimously&quot; to the post by virtue of being the departed leader&#39;s&nbsp;&quot;conscience&quot; for long.</p>

<p>Party spokesperson C Ponnaiyan said while Jayalalithaa was the &quot;conscience&quot; of AIADMK founder and&nbsp;her mentor M G Ramachandran, Sasikala was, likewise, her &quot;conscience.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Chinnamma (as Sasikala is addressed by party workers), had been with Amma through her good and bad&nbsp;times for 33 years. She had been Amma&#39;s conscience and continues to be so. She has played a vital&nbsp;role in keeping the party intact for long. Therefore, Chinnamma will be elected as General Secretary&nbsp;automatically and unanimously. There is no doubt or fear in that,&quot; he told reporters here.</p>

<p>He expressed confidence that the party&#39;s decision-making bodies, General Council and Executive&nbsp;Council, have powers to elect Sasikala to lead the party and that the &quot;aspirations will be met&quot; in&nbsp;this regard.</p>

<p>Indicating their proximity, he said Sasikala was Jayalalithaa&#39;s &#39;udanpirava sagothari&#39; (surrogate&nbsp;sister).</p>

<p>Ponnaiyan said an online campaign on WhatsApp and Facebook to &quot;defame Sasikala&quot; and &quot;finish off&nbsp;AIADMK&quot; by &quot;opposition parties&quot; will not succeed.</p>

<p>Ponnaiyan recalled that whenever the party functionaries would want to discuss an issue with&nbsp;Jayalalithaa, she would &quot;affectionately&quot; refer them to Sasikala and &quot;gave so much of importance to&nbsp;her&quot;.</p>

<p>Sasikala &quot;cared for and protected&quot; Jayalalithaa, he said, adding, she had been a &quot;shadow&quot; and&nbsp;&quot;conscience&quot; of the late leader.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, scores of senior party functionaries thronged the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa&nbsp;and urged Sasikala to take over the reins of AIADMK and lead the party.</p>

<p>Senior leaders, including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai,&nbsp;had earlier voiced their support for Sasikala&#39;s elevation to the post.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


It said she qualifies to be?elected 'automatically' and 'unanimously' by virtue of being Jaya's 'conscience'

The ruling AIADMK on Thursday strongly backed former chief minister Jayalalithaa's close aide VK Sasikala to succeed her as party General Secretary, saying she qualifies to be elected "automatically" and "unanimously" to the post by virtue of being the departed leader's "conscience" for long. Party spokesperson C Ponnaiyan said while Jayalalithaa was the "conscience" of AIADMK founder and her mentor M G Ramachandran, Sasikala was, likewise, her "conscience." "Chinnamma (as Sasikala is addressed by party workers), had been with Amma through her good and bad times for 33 years. She had been Amma's conscience and continues to be so. She has played a vital role in keeping the party intact for long. Therefore, Chinnamma will be elected as General Secretary automatically and unanimously. There is no doubt or fear in that," he told reporters here. He expressed confidence that the party's decision-making bodies, General Council and Executive Council, have powers to elect Sasikala to lead the party and that the "aspirations will be met" in this regard. Indicating their proximity, he said Sasikala was Jayalalithaa's 'udanpirava sagothari' (surrogate sister). Ponnaiyan said an online campaign on WhatsApp and Facebook to "defame Sasikala" and "finish off AIADMK" by "opposition parties" will not succeed. Ponnaiyan recalled that whenever the party functionaries would want to discuss an issue with Jayalalithaa, she would "affectionately" refer them to Sasikala and "gave so much of importance to her". Sasikala "cared for and protected" Jayalalithaa, he said, adding, she had been a "shadow" and "conscience" of the late leader. Meanwhile, scores of senior party functionaries thronged the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa and urged Sasikala to take over the reins of AIADMK and lead the party. Senior leaders, including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, had earlier voiced their support for Sasikala's elevation to the post. (PTI)

India: AIADMK backs Sasikala to succeed Jayalalithaa as general secretary

<p>Tamil Nadu&#39;s ruling AIADMK party says it has called upon former chief minister Jayalalithaa aide and confidante VK Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>They have asked her to take on the post of party general secretary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa, who died Monday, had been general secretary of the AIADMK for the past 27 years.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Senior party functionaries have urged Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jayalalithaa?src=hash">#jayalalithaa</a> : AIADMK</p>
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<p>The Tamil Nadu cabinet met officially for the first time today after the death of the former chief minister.</p>

<p>Rejecting reports of rift in the AIADMK and jockeying for the top post of general secretary, the party&#39;s organisational secretary C Ponnaiyan said the party would soon elect its general secretary, PTI reported.<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
&quot;The party high command has taken a decision to elect a General Secretary and the election will happen soon,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;There is no such thing like competition or problems.... There is nothing like this or that person competing (for the top post),&quot; he said, adding AIADMK was a united party which has been built like a fortress by &#39;Amma&#39;.</p>

<p>Sasikala, who&nbsp;worked closely with Jayalalithaa her during her three tenures as chief minister but occupied no official post, has faced criticism for denying other people access to Jayalalithaa during her stay in hospital.</p>

<p>The AIADMK has also been criticised for consulting Sasikala on every important decision. Senior ministers, including chief minister O Panneerselvam, have been paying her regular visits at the Poes Garden home she shared with Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party defended Sasikala strongly today, stating there was nothing wrong in its leaders calling on her as she was a key member of the AIADMK, PTI reported.</p>

<p>&quot;Even if somebody (belonging to the party) met Sasikala Amma, what is wrong in it? Is she not an important member of the party? What you say is wrong,&quot; Ponnaiyan, who is also the party spokesperson,&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>&quot;AIADMK is steered by party bodies, including general and executive committees and functionaries at multiple levels and Sasikala is a key member,&quot; Ponnaiyan added.</p>

<p>&quot;Sasikala Amma lived with Puratchi Thalaivi Amma&#39;s (revolutionary leader Jayalalithaa&#39;s) last breath. Such questions are unnecessary.&quot;</p>

<p>Asked about the role of Sasikala&#39;s husband Natarajan and other family members in the party, he said &quot;this is an unnecessary question. The party is led and guarded by over 1.5 crore members.&quot;</p>

<p>Asked who the chief minister, ministers and other top officials were consulting by visiting Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden residence and if it was Sasikala, he said, &quot;they are having a meeting with the chief minister there.&quot;</p>

<p>On the reported anger among some cadres against Sasikala for restricting access to Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation, he said, &quot;It is a planned rumour and spread wantonly... Blaming this or that person is a deliberate rumour.&quot;</p>

<p>On claims that the absence of a second rung leadership was responsible for the present void, he said, &quot;In this party, each and every cadre is a leader. Amma made ordinary workers as MLAs and ministers. This is a party of workers, built by them and this is the philosophy of Amma and that is being followed.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


The AIADMK has asked her to take on the post of party general secretary, which was what Jaya was before she died

Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK party says it has called upon former chief minister Jayalalithaa aide and confidante VK Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by Jayalalithaa. They have asked her to take on the post of party general secretary. Jayalalithaa, who died Monday, had been general secretary of the AIADMK for the past 27 years. Senior party functionaries have urged Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by #jayalalithaa : AIADMK — ANI (@ANI_news) December 10, 2016 × The Tamil Nadu cabinet met officially for the first time today after the death of the former chief minister. Rejecting reports of rift in the AIADMK and jockeying for the top post of general secretary, the party's organisational secretary C Ponnaiyan said the party would soon elect its general secretary, PTI reported. "The party high command has taken a decision to elect a General Secretary and the election will happen soon," he said. "There is no such thing like competition or problems.... There is nothing like this or that person competing (for the top post)," he said, adding AIADMK was a united party which has been built like a fortress by 'Amma'. Sasikala, who worked closely with Jayalalithaa her during her three tenures as chief minister but occupied no official post, has faced criticism for denying other people access to Jayalalithaa during her stay in hospital. The AIADMK has also been criticised for consulting Sasikala on every important decision. Senior ministers, including chief minister O Panneerselvam, have been paying her regular visits at the Poes Garden home she shared with Jayalalithaa. The party defended Sasikala strongly today, stating there was nothing wrong in its leaders calling on her as she was a key member of the AIADMK, PTI reported. "Even if somebody (belonging to the party) met Sasikala Amma, what is wrong in it? Is she not an important member of the party? What you say is wrong," Ponnaiyan, who is also the party spokesperson, said. "AIADMK is steered by party bodies, including general and executive committees and functionaries at multiple levels and Sasikala is a key member," Ponnaiyan added. "Sasikala Amma lived with Puratchi Thalaivi Amma's (revolutionary leader Jayalalithaa's) last breath. Such questions are unnecessary." Asked about the role of Sasikala's husband Natarajan and other family members in the party, he said "this is an unnecessary question. The party is led and guarded by over 1.5 crore members." Asked who the chief minister, ministers and other top officials were consulting by visiting Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence and if it was Sasikala, he said, "they are having a meeting with the chief minister there." On the reported anger among some cadres against Sasikala for restricting access to Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation, he said, "It is a planned rumour and spread wantonly... Blaming this or that person is a deliberate rumour." On claims that the absence of a second rung leadership was responsible for the present void, he said, "In this party, each and every cadre is a leader. Amma made ordinary workers as MLAs and ministers. This is a party of workers, built by them and this is the philosophy of Amma and that is being followed." (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: AIADMK asks Jayalalithaa aide Sasikala to lead party

<p>By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/authors/r-rangaraj" title="R Rangaraj">R R</a>angaraj</p>

<p>A day after the body of Jayalalithaa was laid to rest, the question that crops up is: who will inherit her property, especially her coveted Poes Garden residence in the heart of Chennai?</p>

<p>Her assets total over Rs 120 crore, according to the affidavit before the Election Commission (EC).</p>

<p>Jaya never married, her parents are dead, and she disowned her adopted son. It is also said that she has left no will, so what happens to her properties and income?</p>

<p>The Poes Garden residence is worth&nbsp;43.96 crore rupees, and is occupied by Jaya&#39;s aide Sasikala Natarajan, whom Jaya once described as a &quot;sister&quot;. The house has also been shown as the address of several enterprises which Sasikala launched with some of her relatives; some of them even have investments by Jaya herself.</p>

<p>Jaya also owned commercial properties in Hyderabad and Chennai, besides some agricultural land in Hyderabad and Kancheepuram.</p>

<p>If there is no will left behind by Jaya to specify who gets what, one must turn to the law.</p>

<p>Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which applies in this case, there are processes under which Classes and Schedules are created to divide assets between heirs.</p>

<p>According to legal experts who do not wish to be quoted, the &quot;intestate&quot; rules will apply with respect to Jaya&#39;s properties and assets. Under the intestate rules, the first set of Class for inheritance doesn&#39;t apply as she does not have a spouse, children or parents. The next set of Class is laid down according to which the next set of relatives could inherit some of the assets based on whether are they are heirs of her father or her mother.</p>

<p>In this case, only two relatives of Jaya have been seen recently. The son and daughter of Jaya&#39;s brother, Deepak and Deepa, could stake claim to her assets. Deepa was turned away from the Apollo Hospitals when she tried to meet her ailing aunt there.</p>

<p>But Deepak may have a chance. What has come as a surprise is the way he was allowed to assist Sasikala in performing the last rites on the Marina. The Sasikala family, which had kept away Jaya&#39;s relatives for more than three decades, suddenly brought him into the picture, perhaps as a bid to retain Jaya&#39;s assets. If Deepak has a legitimate claim to the property, he could become a front for the family to continue to use the properties and income from various commercial buildings.</p>

<p>There are two other questions: will Sasikala produce a will signed by Jaya, making her the owner of all assets? Since most of the assets are self-acquired by Jaya, she would be free to give them away to anyone of her choice, without any strong legal challenge. If there is no will, the &#39;Deepak&#39; card may be enough.</p>

<p>Does Sudharakan, the former adopted son, have a legal document in his favour? Legal experts say it is unlikely that Jaya made a written declaration stating that he was her adopted son. Therefore, disowning him would be easy. If Jaya gave it to him in writing, and did not amend it later through a will or a subsequent declaration, Sudhakaran could spring a surprise.</p>

<p>If Sasikala cannot produce a will and if Sudhakaran does not have clear documentation in his favour, the intestate rules will apply, bringing into focus the relatives of Jaya. That could mark the beginning of an ugly and protracted legal battle, even within the Jaya family. For now though, Sasikala may have the upper hand, with Jaya&#39;s nephew, Deepak, in tow, and the full weight of the state government behind her.</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


According to an affidavit filed before the election commission, her assets total over Rs 120 crore

By R Rangaraj A day after the body of Jayalalithaa was laid to rest, the question that crops up is: who will inherit her property, especially her coveted Poes Garden residence in the heart of Chennai? Her assets total over Rs 120 crore, according to the affidavit before the Election Commission (EC). Jaya never married, her parents are dead, and she disowned her adopted son. It is also said that she has left no will, so what happens to her properties and income? The Poes Garden residence is worth 43.96 crore rupees, and is occupied by Jaya's aide Sasikala Natarajan, whom Jaya once described as a "sister". The house has also been shown as the address of several enterprises which Sasikala launched with some of her relatives; some of them even have investments by Jaya herself. Jaya also owned commercial properties in Hyderabad and Chennai, besides some agricultural land in Hyderabad and Kancheepuram. If there is no will left behind by Jaya to specify who gets what, one must turn to the law. Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which applies in this case, there are processes under which Classes and Schedules are created to divide assets between heirs. According to legal experts who do not wish to be quoted, the "intestate" rules will apply with respect to Jaya's properties and assets. Under the intestate rules, the first set of Class for inheritance doesn't apply as she does not have a spouse, children or parents. The next set of Class is laid down according to which the next set of relatives could inherit some of the assets based on whether are they are heirs of her father or her mother. In this case, only two relatives of Jaya have been seen recently. The son and daughter of Jaya's brother, Deepak and Deepa, could stake claim to her assets. Deepa was turned away from the Apollo Hospitals when she tried to meet her ailing aunt there. But Deepak may have a chance. What has come as a surprise is the way he was allowed to assist Sasikala in performing the last rites on the Marina. The Sasikala family, which had kept away Jaya's relatives for more than three decades, suddenly brought him into the picture, perhaps as a bid to retain Jaya's assets. If Deepak has a legitimate claim to the property, he could become a front for the family to continue to use the properties and income from various commercial buildings. There are two other questions: will Sasikala produce a will signed by Jaya, making her the owner of all assets? Since most of the assets are self-acquired by Jaya, she would be free to give them away to anyone of her choice, without any strong legal challenge. If there is no will, the 'Deepak' card may be enough. Does Sudharakan, the former adopted son, have a legal document in his favour? Legal experts say it is unlikely that Jaya made a written declaration stating that he was her adopted son. Therefore, disowning him would be easy. If Jaya gave it to him in writing, and did not amend it later through a will or a subsequent declaration, Sudhakaran could spring a surprise. If Sasikala cannot produce a will and if Sudhakaran does not have clear documentation in his favour, the intestate rules will apply, bringing into focus the relatives of Jaya. That could mark the beginning of an ugly and protracted legal battle, even within the Jaya family. For now though, Sasikala may have the upper hand, with Jaya's nephew, Deepak, in tow, and the full weight of the state government behind her. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Who will inherit Jayalalithaa's wealth?

<p>Tamil Nadu state&#39;s ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party claimed Wednesday that 77 people died of grief over the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;77 persons have died of grief and shock after having to come to know of honourable Amma&#39;s (Jayalalithaa) illness and death,&quot; the AIADMK said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">77 people died of grief, shock over illness and demise of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash">#Jayalalithaa</a>, AIADMK announces Rs 3 lakhs compensation for their families: AIADMK</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/806582737402404864">December 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>The party said compensation of Rs 3 lakh would be given to each to the families.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Compensation of Rs 50,000 will also be given to the party member who tried to burn himself, and to the party member who cut off his finger.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The AIADMK released a list of all 77 people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PTI however reported that a &quot;central intelligence estimate&quot; put the death toll at 30, plus four suicide attempts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


Tamil Nadu's ruling party said Rs 3 lakh will be paid as compensation to each of the families

Tamil Nadu state's ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party claimed Wednesday that 77 people died of grief over the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. "77 persons have died of grief and shock after having to come to know of honourable Amma's (Jayalalithaa) illness and death," the AIADMK said in a statement. 77 people died of grief, shock over illness and demise of #Jayalalithaa, AIADMK announces Rs 3 lakhs compensation for their families: AIADMK — ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 × The party said compensation of Rs 3 lakh would be given to each to the families. Compensation of Rs 50,000 will also be given to the party member who tried to burn himself, and to the party member who cut off his finger. The AIADMK released a list of all 77 people. The PTI however reported that a "central intelligence estimate" put the death toll at 30, plus four suicide attempts. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: AIADMK says 77 people died of grief over Jayalalithaa's death

<p>Little would have Tamil Nadu expected that J Jayalalithaa would be as feisty in her death, as she was in her life. When Jayalalithaa breathed her last on the night of December 5, she had dashed the hopes of millions of citizens who had fervently hoped that she would, yet again, stage a powerful comeback from the &quot;adversity&quot;&nbsp;as she always did.</p>

<p>The sight of her mortal remains in the Rajaji Hall served as a stark reminder of the personality that she had come to be in three decades of Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s political history. Three decades ago, it was from the same Rajaji Hall that Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s political career had pretty much begun. On a similar December morning in 1987, Jayalalithaa was sitting next to the mortal remains of her mentor M G Ramachandran, braving the humiliations heaped on her by supporters of V N Janaki, MGR&rsquo;s widow. For hours together, Jayalalithaa sat there even as she was jeered, called all kinds of names and even physically assaulted. They were detractors who had always resented her proximity to M G Ramachandran and her astonishing rise in the party. After hours of heaping humiliation, the detractors were successful in sending her home banishing her from attending MGR&rsquo;s funeral.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>They had thought she was banished, politically too. But those who had known Jayalalithaa, knew she would come back. Even though MGR had not announced her as his political heir, the party threw its lot behind her. After some minor squabbles for about two years, V N Janaki relinquished her rights in the party, paving way for Jayalalithaa to become AIADMK&rsquo;s supremo, something that she would continue to be till her death in December 2016.</p>

<p>Like her mentor M G Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa largely relied on her screen persona to cultivate among the masses an emotional bonding bordering on hysteria. In fact, when MGR made her AIADMK&rsquo;s propaganda secretary in the 1980s, it was also because that he couldn&rsquo;t go to public meetings as often as he would like to and he needed a leader with a mass appeal to maintain the party&rsquo;s ties with the public. Jayalalithaa used the opportunity to the hilt. Old timers recall how her public speeches evoked hysterical reactions. She always made impassionate speeches, giving attention to detail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jeevasundari Balan, biographer of Moovalur Ramamirutham Ammal &ndash; a Dravidian woman icon who worked towards ending the Devadasi system &ndash; recalls how she had first heard the name of Ramamirutham Ammal in a public meeting of Jayalalithaa. &ldquo;It was 1984 and Jayalalithaa was addressing a public meeting in Moovalur. Pointing to a house in front of the venue, Jayalalithaa said it was where Moovalur Ramamirutham Ammal had lived and that she was proud to be standing in front of the Dravidian leader&rsquo;s house and delivering her speech. That was the first time I heard Ramamirutham Ammal&rsquo;s name. My search to document her began from there.&rdquo; For many others in the meeting too, Jayalalithaa had probably disclosed an information that not many were aware of. But Jayalalithaa had always loved to do that &ndash; strike a deeply personal chord with the audiences.</p>

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<p>But unlike her mentor MGR, Jayalalitha perhaps loved to exhibit her tough exterior. While MGR was very cautious about maintaining cordial ties with the power centre in Delhi, Jayalalithaa sought to firmly establish her authority in Delhi. When she declared that the Congress-AIADMK combine swept the Assembly elections in 1991 not because of Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s assassination but because of her own charisma, it was considered an audacious statement. Jayalalithaa would continue to be almost recklessly audacious throughout the rest of her life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was the first leader from Tamil Nadu to align with the BJP, allowing them space to grow in a rigidly Dravidian land. But the Central Ministers were made to wait at her beck and call, were made to attend to her whims and fancies. In a year, Jayalalithaa walked out of the Central government, and the alliance, paving way for another election in 1999. &nbsp;</p>

<p>From putting an end to the forest brigand Veerappan to arresting Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, Jayalalithaa did the unthinkable. Her admirers always say how &quot;such acts&quot;&nbsp;would not have been possible in any other regime. But during her tenures as the chief minister, Jayalalithaa also did the unthinkable in terms of large-scale corruption and gross misuse of office. Critics were brutally silenced. Sycophancy was blindly encouraged. Vaasanthi, a seasoned journalist and author of <em>Amma: Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s journey from movie star to political queen</em>, mentions in her book how Jayalalithaa had &quot;initiated a new cult of leader worship when ministers prostrated themselves full length on the floor in front of her&quot;&nbsp;soon after she took over in 1991.&nbsp;The leader worship would continue to dominate the state&rsquo;s political scene though the world continued to ridicule it.</p>

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<p>But Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s supporters also point to her vulnerability as a woman and claim that she would have been finished off in no time, had she not been so ruthless. Perhaps for a woman to be as successful as she had been in a heavily male dominated political scenario, required a certain amount of ruthlessness. But it will never be easy to judge if Jayalalithaa over did it.</p>

<p>In public domain, Jayalalithaa made up to her ruthlessness by unleashing a slew of populist measures just as her mentor MGR did. There were some schemes like cradle baby to put an end to female infanticide that was largely seen by activists as a token measure, but there were other schemes like free bicycles to rural girl students that meant well. When she won the elections in 2016 and was re-elected as the chief minister, she again created a record of sorts. She became the first leader to be re-elected to office in thirty years and the victory was credited to freebies announced by her.</p>

<p>But beneath the tough exterior that she had always loved to show, was a reluctant leader and a vulnerable woman. Her huge dependence on Sasikala Natarajan was perhaps a demonstration of this vulnerability. Jayalalithaa needed someone who would take care of everything in her life, who would accept her unconditionally.</p>

<p>But she had never wanted to exhibit this vulnerability. Jayalalithaa perhaps wanted to be remembered as a tough politician, and in fighting death for over 70 days in the hospitals, she proved to&nbsp;her followers that she was a fighter always. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Little would have Tamil Nadu expected that J Jayalalithaa would be as feisty in her death, as she was in her life

Little would have Tamil Nadu expected that J Jayalalithaa would be as feisty in her death, as she was in her life. When Jayalalithaa breathed her last on the night of December 5, she had dashed the hopes of millions of citizens who had fervently hoped that she would, yet again, stage a powerful comeback from the "adversity" as she always did. The sight of her mortal remains in the Rajaji Hall served as a stark reminder of the personality that she had come to be in three decades of Tamil Nadu’s political history. Three decades ago, it was from the same Rajaji Hall that Jayalalithaa’s political career had pretty much begun. On a similar December morning in 1987, Jayalalithaa was sitting next to the mortal remains of her mentor M G Ramachandran, braving the humiliations heaped on her by supporters of V N Janaki, MGR’s widow. For hours together, Jayalalithaa sat there even as she was jeered, called all kinds of names and even physically assaulted. They were detractors who had always resented her proximity to M G Ramachandran and her astonishing rise in the party. After hours of heaping humiliation, the detractors were successful in sending her home banishing her from attending MGR’s funeral. For hours together, Jayalalithaa sat there even as she was jeered, called all kinds of names and even physically assaulted. × They had thought she was banished, politically too. But those who had known Jayalalithaa, knew she would come back. Even though MGR had not announced her as his political heir, the party threw its lot behind her. After some minor squabbles for about two years, V N Janaki relinquished her rights in the party, paving way for Jayalalithaa to become AIADMK’s supremo, something that she would continue to be till her death in December 2016. Like her mentor M G Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa largely relied on her screen persona to cultivate among the masses an emotional bonding bordering on hysteria. In fact, when MGR made her AIADMK’s propaganda secretary in the 1980s, it was also because that he couldn’t go to public meetings as often as he would like to and he needed a leader with a mass appeal to maintain the party’s ties with the public. Jayalalithaa used the opportunity to the hilt. Old timers recall how her public speeches evoked hysterical reactions. She always made impassionate speeches, giving attention to detail. Jeevasundari Balan, biographer of Moovalur Ramamirutham Ammal – a Dravidian woman icon who worked towards ending the Devadasi system – recalls how she had first heard the name of Ramamirutham Ammal in a public meeting of Jayalalithaa. “It was 1984 and Jayalalithaa was addressing a public meeting in Moovalur. Pointing to a house in front of the venue, Jayalalithaa said it was where Moovalur Ramamirutham Ammal had lived and that she was proud to be standing in front of the Dravidian leader’s house and delivering her speech. That was the first time I heard Ramamirutham Ammal’s name. My search to document her began from there.” For many others in the meeting too, Jayalalithaa had probably disclosed an information that not many were aware of. But Jayalalithaa had always loved to do that – strike a deeply personal chord with the audiences. But Jayalalithaa had always loved to do that – strike a deeply personal chord with the audiences. × But unlike her mentor MGR, Jayalalitha perhaps loved to exhibit her tough exterior. While MGR was very cautious about maintaining cordial ties with the power centre in Delhi, Jayalalithaa sought to firmly establish her authority in Delhi. When she declared that the Congress-AIADMK combine swept the Assembly elections in 1991 not because of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination but because of her own charisma, it was considered an audacious statement. Jayalalithaa would continue to be almost recklessly audacious throughout the rest of her life. She was the first leader from Tamil Nadu to align with the BJP, allowing them space to grow in a rigidly Dravidian land. But the Central Ministers were made to wait at her beck and call, were made to attend to her whims and fancies. In a year, Jayalalithaa walked out of the Central government, and the alliance, paving way for another election in 1999. From putting an end to the forest brigand Veerappan to arresting Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, Jayalalithaa did the unthinkable. Her admirers always say how "such acts" would not have been possible in any other regime. But during her tenures as the chief minister, Jayalalithaa also did the unthinkable in terms of large-scale corruption and gross misuse of office. Critics were brutally silenced. Sycophancy was blindly encouraged. Vaasanthi, a seasoned journalist and author of Amma: Jayalalithaa’s journey from movie star to political queen, mentions in her book how Jayalalithaa had "initiated a new cult of leader worship when ministers prostrated themselves full length on the floor in front of her" soon after she took over in 1991. The leader worship would continue to dominate the state’s political scene though the world continued to ridicule it. Jayalalithaa’s supporters also point to her vulnerability as a woman and claim that she would have been finished off in no time, had she not been so ruthless. × But Jayalalithaa’s supporters also point to her vulnerability as a woman and claim that she would have been finished off in no time, had she not been so ruthless. Perhaps for a woman to be as successful as she had been in a heavily male dominated political scenario, required a certain amount of ruthlessness. But it will never be easy to judge if Jayalalithaa over did it. In public domain, Jayalalithaa made up to her ruthlessness by unleashing a slew of populist measures just as her mentor MGR did. There were some schemes like cradle baby to put an end to female infanticide that was largely seen by activists as a token measure, but there were other schemes like free bicycles to rural girl students that meant well. When she won the elections in 2016 and was re-elected as the chief minister, she again created a record of sorts. She became the first leader to be re-elected to office in thirty years and the victory was credited to freebies announced by her. But beneath the tough exterior that she had always loved to show, was a reluctant leader and a vulnerable woman. Her huge dependence on Sasikala Natarajan was perhaps a demonstration of this vulnerability. Jayalalithaa needed someone who would take care of everything in her life, who would accept her unconditionally. But she had never wanted to exhibit this vulnerability. Jayalalithaa perhaps wanted to be remembered as a tough politician, and in fighting death for over 70 days in the hospitals, she proved to her followers that she was a fighter always.

The making of 'Amma': The audacious and vulnerable Jayalalithaa

<p>Three persons died apparently due to shock and two cases of suicide attempts were reported from the district after the news of Jayalalithaa&#39;s deteriorating health spread last evening, police said today.</p>

<p>In Singanallur, a 65-year-old painter complained of chest pain while watching television news on Jayalalithaa&#39;s health in his house yesterday.</p>

<p>However, he died before being taken to the hospital, police said.</p>

<p>In another incident, Palaniammal (62) of Thudiyalur, died of shock after watching the TV news in her house yesterday afternoon, they said.</p>

<p>Similarly, a 38-year-old load worker, Raja of Erode, collapsed on the chair, while watching the news channel.</p>

<p>Though his wife called for assistance, the 108 crew of emergency service declared him dead on their arrival, police said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, one Loganathan attempted suicide by jumping down from a 50-foot tall mobile tower in Kuniamuthur in the early hours.</p>

<p>However, police reached the spot and managed to bring him down, before letting him off with a stern warning.</p>

<p>In second such incident, a 45-year-old AIADMK worker, Ramachandran attempted self-imolation near Annur last night.</p>

<p>With 60 per cent burns, he is being treated at the Government Hospital here, police added.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa passed away at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai last night after waging a grim battle for life since her hospitalisation on September 22.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Jayalalithaa passed away at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai last night after waging a grim battle for life since her hospitalisation

Three persons died apparently due to shock and two cases of suicide attempts were reported from the district after the news of Jayalalithaa's deteriorating health spread last evening, police said today. In Singanallur, a 65-year-old painter complained of chest pain while watching television news on Jayalalithaa's health in his house yesterday. However, he died before being taken to the hospital, police said. In another incident, Palaniammal (62) of Thudiyalur, died of shock after watching the TV news in her house yesterday afternoon, they said. Similarly, a 38-year-old load worker, Raja of Erode, collapsed on the chair, while watching the news channel. Though his wife called for assistance, the 108 crew of emergency service declared him dead on their arrival, police said. Meanwhile, one Loganathan attempted suicide by jumping down from a 50-foot tall mobile tower in Kuniamuthur in the early hours. However, police reached the spot and managed to bring him down, before letting him off with a stern warning. In second such incident, a 45-year-old AIADMK worker, Ramachandran attempted self-imolation near Annur last night. With 60 per cent burns, he is being treated at the Government Hospital here, police added. Jayalalithaa passed away at the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai last night after waging a grim battle for life since her hospitalisation on September 22. (PTI)

Jayalalithaa's demise: Three deaths, two suicide attempts in Coimbatore

<p>Britain&#39;s request to review United Nations&#39; ruling that Julian Assange is being arbitrarily detained has been rejected, said a statment released in Geneva on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said it was not changing course as the British request &quot;did not meet the threshold of a review... and (was) thus not admissible&quot;, news agency AFP reported.</p>

<p>Britain had contested the findings, favourable towards Assange, of the UN group working on arbitrary detention published in February.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assange has taken refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid being sent to Sweden. He faces rape allegations in the Scandinavian country.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Julian Assange has never been arbitrarily detained by the UK, and is in fact voluntarily avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy. The UK continues to have a legal obligation to extradite him to Sweden,&rdquo; UK foreign minister Hugo Swire had said in a statement, The Guardian reported.</p>

<p>The WikiLeaks founder is afraid that Sweden would extradite him to the United States where he would face punishment for leaking classified documents in his website.</p>

<p>The UN panel published its findings on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Assange said in a statement: &quot;Now that all appeals are exhausted I expect that the UK and Sweden will comply with their international obligations and set me free. It is an obvious and grotesque injustice to detain someone for six years who hasn&#39;t even been charged with an offence.&quot;</p>

<p>Earlier in November, he was interrogated by an Ecuadorian prosecutor for two days over the rape allegations on him.</p>

<p>The questions were provided by Swedish officials but the answers were confidential.</p>

<p>A sexual assault probe into Assange was dropped last year after the five-year statute of limitations expired. The Swedish prosecutors, however, still want to question him over the 2010 rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations.</p>

<p>Assange insists the sexual encounters in question were consensual.</p>

<p>(With inputs from AFP)</p>


Several chief ministers?arrived in Chennai to pay their last respects to the 'leader of the masses'

Britain's request to review United Nations' ruling that Julian Assange is being arbitrarily detained has been rejected, said a statment released in Geneva on Wednesday. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said it was not changing course as the British request "did not meet the threshold of a review... and (was) thus not admissible", news agency AFP reported. Britain had contested the findings, favourable towards Assange, of the UN group working on arbitrary detention published in February. Assange has taken refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid being sent to Sweden. He faces rape allegations in the Scandinavian country. “Julian Assange has never been arbitrarily detained by the UK, and is in fact voluntarily avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy. The UK continues to have a legal obligation to extradite him to Sweden,” UK foreign minister Hugo Swire had said in a statement, The Guardian reported. The WikiLeaks founder is afraid that Sweden would extradite him to the United States where he would face punishment for leaking classified documents in his website. The UN panel published its findings on Wednesday. Assange said in a statement: "Now that all appeals are exhausted I expect that the UK and Sweden will comply with their international obligations and set me free. It is an obvious and grotesque injustice to detain someone for six years who hasn't even been charged with an offence." Earlier in November, he was interrogated by an Ecuadorian prosecutor for two days over the rape allegations on him. The questions were provided by Swedish officials but the answers were confidential. A sexual assault probe into Assange was dropped last year after the five-year statute of limitations expired. The Swedish prosecutors, however, still want to question him over the 2010 rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations. Assange insists the sexual encounters in question were consensual. (With inputs from AFP)

India: Politicians mourn Jaya's demise, tributes pour in

<p>Indian politician Jayalalithaa Jayaram has passed away following a cardiac arrest, Apollo Hospital announced on Monday night. According to a press release from &nbsp;the hospital, the time of her death was recorded at 11.30 pm local time.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months.</p>

<p>She had complained of dehydration and fever on September 22 and was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, hours after her party members said her health had become better and was currently undergoing physiotherapy.</p>

<p>Apollo Hospital in Chennai issued a statement later, saying the 68-year-old satrap was being monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists.</p>

<p>On Monday afternoon, a hospital spokesperson said Jayalalithaa remained &quot;very critical&quot; and was on a heart-assist device and other life-support systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thousands of her well-wishers gathered outside the hospital after news broke out about her cardiac arrest. Many of them camped outside the hospital overnight, as did several of her party members.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jayalalithaa?src=hash">#jayalalithaa</a> <a href="https://t.co/7NgFvVvTby">pic.twitter.com/7NgFvVvTby</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/805854799832879104">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a late night oath taking ceremony at around 1.30 am local time, a new cabinet took pledge with O&nbsp;Panneerselvam being sworn-in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam takes oath as the next CM of Tamil Nadu <a href="https://t.co/8iwCls0pey">pic.twitter.com/8iwCls0pey</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/805862972794900480">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam keeping a photograph of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jayalalithaa?src=hash">#jayalalithaa</a> in his pocket <a href="https://t.co/pfQoUen4ql">pic.twitter.com/pfQoUen4ql</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/805863831058583552">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>The hospital remains cloaked in a thick blanket of security as there are fears about an outbreak of violence in the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state police chief, TK Rajendran, meanwhile has ordered all police personnel to report for duty &quot;until further orders&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nine companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have also been put on standby.</p>

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed a good personal equation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, expressed deep sadness over her demise and said it has left &quot;a huge void in Indian politics&quot;.</p>

<p>Hailing the AIADMK supremo who passed away at a Chennai hospital tonight, Modi said her connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be &quot;a source of inspiration&quot;.</p>

<p>He said he would always cherish the innumerable occasions when &quot;I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaaji. May her soul rest in peace.&quot;</p>

<p>In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, &quot;Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics.</p>

<p>&quot;My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805850049770987520">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849888785305601">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849770543616001">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jayalalithaa ji&rsquo;s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women &amp; marginalized will always be a source of inspiration.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849612992925696">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>Preetha Reddy, owner of Apollo where Jayalalithaa had been admitted said &quot;Devastating loss to the state and the nation. J Jayalalitha was an iconic leader. A humane visionary. A personal friend for years. Will miss her presence immensely.&quot;</p>

<p>A seven-day state mourning starting December 6 has been declared in Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges in the state will remain shut for three days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The politico&#39;s mortal remains were taken to her home in Poes Garden, with supporters and party workers chasing the ambulance and trying to touch it. A scuffle broke out between the police and party workers. Many tried to break the barricades and the police resorted to a baton charge.</p>

<p><strong>Evening frenzy</strong></p>

<p>On Monday evening, Apollo Hospital had to repudiate rumours of Amma&#39;s death after several news outlets erroneously began flashing news about her demise.</p>

<p>The hospital, in their clarification letter, stated that news of her death were &quot;baseless and false&quot;. They insisted that she remained on life-support system.</p>

<p>Even some prominent Urdu publications in Pakistan reported that the 68-year-old leader had passed away.</p>

<p><strong>Profile</strong></p>

<p>Jayalalithaa, fondly known as &#39;Amma&#39; (mother) by her supporters, is treated like a demi-god in her home state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1982.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa acted in several movies before joining politics and had a huge fan following.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She wielded national influence, with her party holding the third-largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of India&#39;s Parliament).</p>

<p>Her domineering status in the party, often perceived by her critics as a one-woman party, means there is no clear candidate to take over the party reins.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months

Indian politician Jayalalithaa Jayaram has passed away following a cardiac arrest, Apollo Hospital announced on Monday night. According to a press release from the hospital, the time of her death was recorded at 11.30 pm local time. Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months. She had complained of dehydration and fever on September 22 and was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state. Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, hours after her party members said her health had become better and was currently undergoing physiotherapy. Apollo Hospital in Chennai issued a statement later, saying the 68-year-old satrap was being monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists. On Monday afternoon, a hospital spokesperson said Jayalalithaa remained "very critical" and was on a heart-assist device and other life-support systems. Thousands of her well-wishers gathered outside the hospital after news broke out about her cardiac arrest. Many of them camped outside the hospital overnight, as did several of her party members. Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of #jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/7NgFvVvTby — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × In a late night oath taking ceremony at around 1.30 am local time, a new cabinet took pledge with O Panneerselvam being sworn-in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam takes oath as the next CM of Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/8iwCls0pey — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × New Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam keeping a photograph of #jayalalithaa in his pocket pic.twitter.com/pfQoUen4ql — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × The hospital remains cloaked in a thick blanket of security as there are fears about an outbreak of violence in the city. The state police chief, TK Rajendran, meanwhile has ordered all police personnel to report for duty "until further orders". Nine companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have also been put on standby. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed a good personal equation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, expressed deep sadness over her demise and said it has left "a huge void in Indian politics". Hailing the AIADMK supremo who passed away at a Chennai hospital tonight, Modi said her connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be "a source of inspiration". He said he would always cherish the innumerable occasions when "I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaaji. May her soul rest in peace." In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief." I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × Preetha Reddy, owner of Apollo where Jayalalithaa had been admitted said "Devastating loss to the state and the nation. J Jayalalitha was an iconic leader. A humane visionary. A personal friend for years. Will miss her presence immensely." A seven-day state mourning starting December 6 has been declared in Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges in the state will remain shut for three days. The politico's mortal remains were taken to her home in Poes Garden, with supporters and party workers chasing the ambulance and trying to touch it. A scuffle broke out between the police and party workers. Many tried to break the barricades and the police resorted to a baton charge. Evening frenzy On Monday evening, Apollo Hospital had to repudiate rumours of Amma's death after several news outlets erroneously began flashing news about her demise. The hospital, in their clarification letter, stated that news of her death were "baseless and false". They insisted that she remained on life-support system. Even some prominent Urdu publications in Pakistan reported that the 68-year-old leader had passed away. Profile Jayalalithaa, fondly known as 'Amma' (mother) by her supporters, is treated like a demi-god in her home state. Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1982. Jayalalithaa acted in several movies before joining politics and had a huge fan following. She wielded national influence, with her party holding the third-largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of India's Parliament). Her domineering status in the party, often perceived by her critics as a one-woman party, means there is no clear candidate to take over the party reins. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian politician Jayalalithaa passes away at 68

<p>O Panneerselvam, trusted aide to and state finance minister under Jayalalithaa, was sworn in as chief minister hours after Jayalalithaa passed away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam, along with 31 ministers from Jayalalithaa&#39;s cabinet, took their&nbsp;oaths at around 1.15 am. Tamil Nadu governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao presided over the oaths which were taken at Chennai&#39;s Raj Bhavan (Government House).&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam and other ministers with Governor after taking oath <a href="https://t.co/GLybyq9XZe">pic.twitter.com/GLybyq9XZe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/805869741743054848">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 65-year-old Panneerselvam, popularly considered to be Jayalalithaa&#39;s &quot;Man Friday&quot;, takes the top post for the third time.</p>

<p>He also served as chief minister from 2001 to 2002, and again from 2014 to 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Press Trust of India reported him as taking the oath with a picture of Jayalalithaa in his pocket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam has been deputising for Jayalalithaa since she was admitted to hospital on September 22. He was given charge of her eight ministries and also chaired cabinet meetings. reportedly with her photograph by his side. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Paneerselvam was elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party before the swearing in.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, the Raj Bhavan said, Panneerselvam, MLA from Bodinayakanur, met the governor and submitted a letter to him informing him of his election as leader of the AIADMK legislature party.</p>

<p>The governor then &quot;appointed him as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and invited him to form the government,&quot; the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Paneerselvam also submitted a letter containing the names of his cabinet members and the portfolios given to them to the governor for his approval.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Panneerselvam himself will continue with the same eight ministries that Jayalalithaa headed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


This is the third time he will occupy the chair. He has deputised twice before for Jayalalithaa

O Panneerselvam, trusted aide to and state finance minister under Jayalalithaa, was sworn in as chief minister hours after Jayalalithaa passed away. Panneerselvam, along with 31 ministers from Jayalalithaa's cabinet, took their oaths at around 1.15 am. Tamil Nadu governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao presided over the oaths which were taken at Chennai's Raj Bhavan (Government House). Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam and other ministers with Governor after taking oath pic.twitter.com/GLybyq9XZe — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × The 65-year-old Panneerselvam, popularly considered to be Jayalalithaa's "Man Friday", takes the top post for the third time. He also served as chief minister from 2001 to 2002, and again from 2014 to 2015. The Press Trust of India reported him as taking the oath with a picture of Jayalalithaa in his pocket. Panneerselvam has been deputising for Jayalalithaa since she was admitted to hospital on September 22. He was given charge of her eight ministries and also chaired cabinet meetings. reportedly with her photograph by his side. Paneerselvam was elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party before the swearing in. In a statement, the Raj Bhavan said, Panneerselvam, MLA from Bodinayakanur, met the governor and submitted a letter to him informing him of his election as leader of the AIADMK legislature party. The governor then "appointed him as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and invited him to form the government," the statement said. Paneerselvam also submitted a letter containing the names of his cabinet members and the portfolios given to them to the governor for his approval. Panneerselvam himself will continue with the same eight ministries that Jayalalithaa headed. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: Jayalalithaa's trusted aide Panneerselvam sworn in as new chief minister

<p dir="ltr">The chief minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, suffered a cardiac arrest late on Sunday night, sending the capital Chennai in a state of hysteria.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The sentiments of the swelling crowd outside the Apollo hospital, where the leader has&nbsp;been&nbsp;treated for the last 70 days, reflect the power and stature Jayalalithaa has enjoyed in Tamil Nadu for nearly 27 years.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Popularly known as &ldquo;Amma&rdquo; (mother), the leader is considered no less than a &ldquo;demigod&rdquo; by her supporters. The vicinity of her office in the Royapettah area of Chennai is always dotted with vendors selling &ldquo;Amma&rdquo; merchandise. From her posters to stationery items with her pictures, and even photo lockets, they sell it all. Outside her house in the plush Poes Garden, one can always find groups of supporters trying to catch a glimpse of their leader. Her birthdays have been celebrated with King-sized cakes and her many&nbsp;arrests have been followed by days of unrest and violence.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Here&rsquo;s a look at her political career:</p>

<p dir="ltr">In 1982, actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a party founded by southern Indian cultural and political icon MG Ramachandran&mdash;popularly known as MGR.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Soon after, she was made the party&rsquo;s propaganda secretary in 1983. She also campaigned as a candidate from the Tiruchendur Assembly Constituency.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In 1984, she was elected for the first time as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This was also the year when Jayalalithaa came to the fore during elections to the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. MGR had fallen ill and was undergoing medical treatment in the United States. In his absence, the alliance of Congress (I) and AIADMK secured a massive victory, marking a turning point in Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s political career.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Two years after MGR&rsquo;s death in 1987 and a split in the AIADMK, Jayalalithaa was elected as a member of Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s legislative assembly in 1989 from the Bodinayakanur constituency.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jayalalithaa became&nbsp;the first woman leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jayalalithaa got together the warring factions that had split after MGR&rsquo;s death and was unanimously elected the general secretary of the united AIADMK.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That year the Congress (I) and AIADMK alliance swept the Lok Sabha general elections in a historic win.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jayalalithaa led AIADMK to victory in all the following by-elections from the constituencies of Peranamallur, Madurai East and Marungapuri to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In 1991, Jayalalithaa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, becoming the youngest ever and the second woman chief minister of the state. She remained in power till 1996 with the AIADMK losing assembly elections amid corruption charges.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><b>The disproportionate assets case</b></p>

<p dir="ltr">Janata Party leader Dr Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint in 1996 in a court accusing Jayalalithaa of amassing wealth amounting to Rs 66.65 crore, which was disproportionate to her known sources of income during her tenure as chief minister.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jayalalithaa was arrested on charges of corruption, including amassing disproportionate assets, in December that year.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In 2000, a special court in Chennai convicted Jayalalithaa in the TANSI land deal case. Jaya publication and Sasi enterprises, two companies in which the politico and her close aide Sasikala had holdings, had in 1992 purchased lands of a state government agency.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, after a landslide win in the 2001 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, Jayalalithaa became the chief minister for a second time in May, but could hold the position only till September 2001.</p>

<p dir="ltr">She was removed from the position after the Supreme Court of India quashed her appointment as she was disqualified to contest due to the TANSI case conviction.</p>

<p dir="ltr">She came back to power in 2002 and then in 2011 for a fourth time, the corruption charges plaguing her political career.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Jayalalithaa stepped down again in 2014 when a trial court in Karnataka held her guilty in the now&nbsp;18-year-old Disproportionate Assets case.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The court sentenced her to a four-year jail term with a fine of Rs&nbsp;100 crore, but she challenged the verdict in the Karnataka High Court.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The judgement led to disturbances in parts of Tamil Nadu with supporters vandalising public property.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In May 2015, the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalitha in the Disproportionate Assets case.</p>

<p dir="ltr">She became the chief minister in 2015 and for &nbsp;a record sixth time in 2016.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite the several corruption charges against her,&nbsp;supporters hail her for her efforts to set-up for-poor programmes like the Amma canteens, which provide daily meals at subsidised rates across Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Since September this year Jayalalithaa has been missing from the political centre-stage, undergoing treatment in Chennai for lung infection.</p>

<p dir="ltr">(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>


Jayalalithaa is one of the most prominent political figures in India's regional politics

The chief minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, suffered a cardiac arrest late on Sunday night, sending the capital Chennai in a state of hysteria. The sentiments of the swelling crowd outside the Apollo hospital, where the leader has been treated for the last 70 days, reflect the power and stature Jayalalithaa has enjoyed in Tamil Nadu for nearly 27 years. Popularly known as “Amma” (mother), the leader is considered no less than a “demigod” by her supporters. The vicinity of her office in the Royapettah area of Chennai is always dotted with vendors selling “Amma” merchandise. From her posters to stationery items with her pictures, and even photo lockets, they sell it all. Outside her house in the plush Poes Garden, one can always find groups of supporters trying to catch a glimpse of their leader. Her birthdays have been celebrated with King-sized cakes and her many arrests have been followed by days of unrest and violence. Here’s a look at her political career: In 1982, actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a party founded by southern Indian cultural and political icon MG Ramachandran—popularly known as MGR. Soon after, she was made the party’s propaganda secretary in 1983. She also campaigned as a candidate from the Tiruchendur Assembly Constituency. In 1984, she was elected for the first time as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. This was also the year when Jayalalithaa came to the fore during elections to the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. MGR had fallen ill and was undergoing medical treatment in the United States. In his absence, the alliance of Congress (I) and AIADMK secured a massive victory, marking a turning point in Jayalalithaa’s political career. Two years after MGR’s death in 1987 and a split in the AIADMK, Jayalalithaa was elected as a member of Tamil Nadu’s legislative assembly in 1989 from the Bodinayakanur constituency. Jayalalithaa became the first woman leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa got together the warring factions that had split after MGR’s death and was unanimously elected the general secretary of the united AIADMK. That year the Congress (I) and AIADMK alliance swept the Lok Sabha general elections in a historic win. Jayalalithaa led AIADMK to victory in all the following by-elections from the constituencies of Peranamallur, Madurai East and Marungapuri to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. In 1991, Jayalalithaa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, becoming the youngest ever and the second woman chief minister of the state. She remained in power till 1996 with the AIADMK losing assembly elections amid corruption charges. The disproportionate assets case Janata Party leader Dr Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint in 1996 in a court accusing Jayalalithaa of amassing wealth amounting to Rs 66.65 crore, which was disproportionate to her known sources of income during her tenure as chief minister. Jayalalithaa was arrested on charges of corruption, including amassing disproportionate assets, in December that year. In 2000, a special court in Chennai convicted Jayalalithaa in the TANSI land deal case. Jaya publication and Sasi enterprises, two companies in which the politico and her close aide Sasikala had holdings, had in 1992 purchased lands of a state government agency. However, after a landslide win in the 2001 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, Jayalalithaa became the chief minister for a second time in May, but could hold the position only till September 2001. She was removed from the position after the Supreme Court of India quashed her appointment as she was disqualified to contest due to the TANSI case conviction. She came back to power in 2002 and then in 2011 for a fourth time, the corruption charges plaguing her political career. Jayalalithaa stepped down again in 2014 when a trial court in Karnataka held her guilty in the now 18-year-old Disproportionate Assets case. The court sentenced her to a four-year jail term with a fine of Rs 100 crore, but she challenged the verdict in the Karnataka High Court. The judgement led to disturbances in parts of Tamil Nadu with supporters vandalising public property. In May 2015, the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalitha in the Disproportionate Assets case. She became the chief minister in 2015 and for a record sixth time in 2016. Despite the several corruption charges against her, supporters hail her for her efforts to set-up for-poor programmes like the Amma canteens, which provide daily meals at subsidised rates across Tamil Nadu. Since September this year Jayalalithaa has been missing from the political centre-stage, undergoing treatment in Chennai for lung infection. (WION)

India: A look at Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's political career so far

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