Will Bring Back 'Amma's rule' In Tamil Nadu: VK Sasikala Makes Big Announcement

VK Sasikala, a close aide of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, made a major announcement on Sunday, declaring that the AIADMK is far from decimated despite its recent electoral losses.

She stressed that her re-entry into active politics has begun, promising to bring back "Amma's rule" by securing victory in the 2026 Assembly polls.

Sasikala criticised the current AIADMK leadership under Edappadi K Palaniswami for not adequately challenging the ruling DMK government and asserted that she would step in to ask the necessary questions as the Opposition should. This statement underscores her intent to reclaim a significant role in the party's future.

Despite multiple failed attempts to regain control of the AIADMK from EPS, Sasikala, addressing her supporters, declared that the time for her return was now. She pledged to initiate a state-wide tour soon, during which she would hold the DMK government accountable and demand answers from them.

"This is the time I have been telling you, there is no need for any concern," she said, apparently referring to her stand of 'unifying' the party for which she also had toured several regions of the state. For sure, people of Tamil Nadu are on our side.... I am very strong... it cannot be thought that the AIADMK is finished and it is because, my entry (re-entry) has commenced," she said amid rounds of applause.

Sasikala also condemned the rise of caste-based politics within the AIADMK, a veiled critique aimed at EPS. She recalled her decision to appoint EPS as Chief Minister in 2017, emphasising that it was based on regional representation rather than caste considerations. She asserted that caste politics would not be tolerated in the AIADMK, a party nurtured by its founder MGR and later by Jayalalithaa.

Reflecting on the AIADMK's poor performance in elections, where it has been relegated to third and fourth positions and lost deposits in numerous seats, Sasikala pointed out the need for change. Her criticism of EPS and the current party leadership was implicit but clear.

In response to a question from reporters, Sasikala stated that "boycott of Vikravandi bypoll is not correct under the present circumstances," countering the stance taken by AIADMK and its ally, the DMDK.

Since the passing of Jayalalithaa in December 2016, Sasikala's political journey has been tumultuous. She was interim general secretary when she proposed EPS as Chief Minister in 2017. However, after her incarceration and subsequent release, she, along with her nephew TTV Dhinakaran and others, were expelled from the AIADMK as EPS consolidated power. Dhinakaran went on to establish the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).