'Stay away from AIADMK affairs,' Sasikala warns family

The sight of Sasikala's kin, including her husband Natarajan, make their presence felt at Jayalalithaa's funeral had ruffled feathers within the party.

In an effort to keep the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam membership united, Sasikala Natarajan told the senior leadership of the party that her family will not be allowed to interfere in the organisation's internal affairs.

In a series of meeting since Wednesday she ordered her family members to stay away from Poes Garden and from the party's affairs.

The sight of Sasikala's kin, including her husband Natarajan, make their presence felt at Jayalalithaa's funeral had ruffled feathers within the party.

This proximity to the peak of the power structure, thought by many in the party as unbecoming, was seen as a threat to many a AIADMK leader who had a tough time putting up a united front.

The discomfort was not unnoticed by Sasikala who announced that her family has been asked to maintain a careful distance. She is reported to have also told party members that they do not have to consider any demand or request from her family.

The move seems to have hit the mark with AIADMK leaders who are coming out vocally in support of Sasikala. After a meeting held between the senior leadership, party sources revealed that those who had reservations about extending support to Sasikala seem to be relieved.

Jayalalithaa had ousted Sasikala and her family members from Poes Garden in 2011 but Sasikala was allowed to reenter when she distanced herself from her family to prove her loyalty to Jayalalithaa. The family made their own comeback after Jayalalithaa's passing.

OneIndia News