Chennai: Late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa's aide V K Sasikala on Thursday claimed the party founder M G Ramachandran would seek her views on party affairs in the mid-1980s. Her claim was eye-popping considering that she was only known as an aide of the Jayalalithaa household when MGR was around.
In a telephonic conversation with an AIADMK functionary, a recorded clip of which was leaked to the media, she claimed proximity to MGR and also claimed that she had a role in the merger of the AIADMK Jayalalithaa and Janaki factions after the death of the party founder.
According to her, family members of MGR met her on Wednesday and expressed their desire that she should return to politics to safeguard the AIADMK.
"Thalaivar (leader) had advised us to maintain that calm. Many did not know that I have travelled with Thalaivar too. When Thalaivar interacted with me, he used to ask my views about party affairs. I used to answer him very patiently. So, it became a habit for me", she claimed.
Sasikala also claimed that whenever Jayalalithaa took decisions in an angry mood, "I used to advise her that for the sake of the cadre, we should decide calmly."
She said she would tour Tamil Nadu once the COVID-19 lockdown is completely lifted.
Meanwhile, AIADMK coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami held a meeting with the secretaries of party districts in Chennai.
