Jaya's niece announces new platform: MGR-Amma Deepa Federation

The fight for Jayalalithaa's legacy took centre stage on her birth anniversary on Friday as a divided AIADMK and as well as estranged family members took to celebrating her birth anniversary independently. Tributes were paid to the former chief minister at her memorial in Marina Beach, AIADMK party headquarters as well as her constituency in R K Nagar.

Deepa Jayakumar's 'MGR Amma Deepa Peravai'

Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar announced the launch of her political vehicle, 'MGR Amma Deepa Peravai' and stated that the tagline of the forum is 'revive two leave symbol'. She had earlier stated that she would make her official entry into politics on Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary. The forum's flag was also unveiled on Friday. The red and black flag with Jayalalithaa and MGR's picture in the centre.

A day after her brother Deepak claimed that the siblings were entitled to Jayalalithaa's properties and criticised Sasikala's family for taking over the party, Deepa refused to trust him. The siblings have been loggerheads in public ever since Deepak was seen alongside Sasikala in Apollo hospital, during Jayalalithaa's funeral and more recently at the resort where AIADMK legislators were herded. His sudden shift of base came as a surprise to many. "I wonder if my brother was even stating the truth. I was surprised when I heard his interview. I will fight to revive the symbol of two leaves and will contest from RK Nagar constituency," she told the media on Friday.

O Panneerselvam at R K Nagar

O Panneerselvam took the celebrations to Jayalalithaa's home turf R K Nagar constituency. Speaking to the media after paying tributes to Jayalalithaa, he reiterated his continued efforts to redeem the AIADMK. "Amma was clear that no single family should hijack the party and she did not allow members of a family near her or the party till her death. but now the party, as well as the government, has gone into the hands of the same family. Amma made this a people and cadre party but now a single family controls it.

The truth will prevail," he said. He also said that an inquiry into Jayalalithaa's death that he had ordered while he was chief minister was turned upside down. He urged the central government to probe her death. Panneerselvam refused to comment on Jayalalithaa's nephew Deepak lauding him and claimed that they were Deepak's personal opinions. Panneerselvam maintained that Deepa would be welcomed into the 'true AIADMK' if she were willing to join.

Palanisamy's welfare schemes

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami took the appeasement route to mark Jayalalithaa's birthday. He announced compensation of Rs 15 crore to close to 30,000 fishermen families that were affected by the Oil spill in Chennai coast. TTV Dinakaran, the party's deputy general secretary was also present in the party headquarters.

"Famers affected by drought will be compensated within five days. The issue of NEET will be taken up before the prime minister on February 27 when we meet him," Palanisami said. He rubbished Panneerslvam's allegations of a probe into Jayalalithaa's death being suppressed and claimed that there was no mystery in her death and that the issue was being raked up unnecessarily by people.

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