AIADMK Leaders Prostrate At Sasikala’s Feet. Tamil Nadu Politics Goes Back To Its Old Ways?

A video showing quite a few All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leaders paying respects at late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa’s memorial and following it up with prostration at Sasikala’s feet has gone viral in Tamil Nadu.

Sasikala, the well-known long term companion of Jayalalithaa, is said to be in contention for the powerful post of AIADMK General Secretary. Nearly all AIADMK leaders, including the current Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, have been visiting Sasikala for the past few days. The party’s channels claim that these leaders have been attempting to persuade Sasikala to ‘lead the party’ in the absence of Jayalalithaa. Some party leaders have even issued statements and newspaper advertisements ‘requesting’ Sasikala to take up the mantle of leadership.

Such open display of obsequiousness and deference were a hallmark of Jayalalithaa’s time when her control over the party organisation was absolute. With AIADMK leaders identifying Sasikala as Jayalalithaa’s successor and openly falling at her feet, it almost seems as if Tamil Nadu has rediscovered its political normalcy.