“For Amma party was life, and for me Amma is my life.” Says Sasikala Natarajan
CHENNAI: Sasikala Natarajan, the closest friend of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has formally taken over the AIADMK’s leadership. Ms Natarajan, 54, took charge as the AIADMK’s general secretary this afternoon, a post held by Ms Jayalalithaa till she died on December 5. Addressing party workers, Ms Natarajan broke down while talking about Ms Jayalalithaa, and said, “For Amma party was life, and for me Amma is my life.”
Ms Natarajan, also called ‘Chinamma’ (mother’s younger sister), paid tributes to party founder MGR and Ms Jayalalithaa at the AIADMK office before taking charge. Banners of Ms Natarajan and Ms Jayalalithaa dotted the route to the party headquarters. AIADMK cadre assembled outside the party headquarters in Chennai to show their support for ‘Chinamma’, and held up posters of her.She is the sixth person and the second woman to hold the post.
Ms Natarajan’s takeover as AIADMK chief was announced on Thursday by party leaders as a given even though she is not technically qualified; the general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member. Sasikala Natarajan paid tributes to AIADMK founder MGR before taking charge as general secretary.
O Panneerselvam is the first Chief Minister from AIADMK who will not be the general secretary of the party. It became a tradition as Ms Jayalalithaa held both posts, unchallenged. Ms Natarajan was kept away from party and government functioning by Ms Jayalalithaa while she was alive, but her considerable influence over key decisions is well-known.
As lakhs paid tribute to their “Amma” after her death, Ms Natarajan emerged as a strong presence by her side, exuding power as top party leaders, including Mr Panneerselvam, retreated to the sidelines.Sources say Mr Panneerselvam wants to serve out his term and the BJP, which rules at the centre, too has openly said it backs the man elected by the AIADMK’s legislators as chief minister.
“i will sacrifice my life for the growth of AIADMK organisation”, Ms. Sasikala emotionally said. Ms. Sasikala said “special stamp and coin for MGR will be sought for from the centre on behalf of the AIADMK.” She said “Let’s undertake to run a very pious organisation. Till the time I m alive I will work for this organisation.”
Ms. Sasikala announces that MGR’s birth centenary celebrations will start in January next year.She said “MGR and amma guided this organisation without caste and religion. This is how it will continue. Just like how she guided us with military precision, that is how we will continue.”Ms. Sasikala said “Except her no one will be given prominence . This is a promise”.
Ms. Sasikala further added “Her place can never be filled even after a thousand years. It cannot br filled at all. Cannot be.” Further stated “This is the people’s government.”Talking about Jayalalithaa, Ms. Sasikala “In that time when male chauvinism was at its peak and there was no other leader except Indira Gandhi, amma showed the way for women here. The world is surprised that the organisation’s strength comes from women.”
Ms. Sasikala said “Your “anbu kattalai” , I will spend it for the organisation that amma built and for the crores of supporters of the party. It has given. Me the will to live. She had said in front of our political enemies that the AIADMK will exist even after 100 years, speaking like a lion. It was a message for the whole world. We are now living without out mother. She expected only honesty and loyalty from our party cadres. It should continue like a fire in the future.”
Ms. Sasikala said “I am 62 years now. I have been. Living with her since I was 29.” While speaking about Jayalalithaa, she once again turned emotional and said “”Akka, have you left for Secretariat, Akka have you eaten lunch”, this is how I spent my life.”Ms. Sasikala says “No one would have even thought when she started her journey that the word amma would be in peoples hearts.”
Ms. Sasikala turns emotional while saying “I lived only with her in the past 33 years….I am unable to explain how I feel.”Ms. Sasikala said “Her death has turned the attention of the whole country towards our state.”Talking about late Jayalalithaa’s health condition, Ms. Sasikala said “She had improved so much to be . moved to the general ward from ICU. But god stopped her heart beat and put 10 crore Tamilians in sadness”
Ms. Sasikala says “There were so many struggles in those 75 days for Jayalalithaa.” Ms. Sasikala says “It feels like thunder has fallen on our heads. It was shocking that she died suddenly. She has left us unguided.” I have gone to thousands of meeting with amma. Have participated in so many meetings with her in the last 33 years. It is a sad situation that I am in this position to accept this post. Ms. Sasikala turns emotional during her speech.
I thank those who elected me as general secretary to take forward this legacy, says Sasikala. Jayalalithaa was the heart of the organisation. She lead the organisation after the death of MGR. Even if another 100 years pass by, amma has said our party will rule the state.I am for the people and people for me”, with these words Ms. Sasikala ends here speech.
