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Sasikala Natarajan takes charge as AIADMK General Secretary; says will sacrifice life for party, people of TN

VK Sasikala Natarajan, 54, a close aide of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, took charge as General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Saturday at the party’s headquarters in Chennai.

AIADMK party members had in a unanimous resolution adopted at the party’s general council meeting earlier this week, appointed Sasikala to the post.

Chinnamma addressesed AIADMK cadres at the party Head Quarters. She began by thanking her supporters for choosing her to be the next General Secretary after Jayalalithaa’s death.

Breaking down with tears, she said that the despite Jayalalithaa’s demise party under her leadership will continue to rule the state. “Amma is not with us now but our party will rule here for the next 100 years,” she said.

Sasikala said that she had dedicated her life to serve Jayalalithaa. “For Amma party was life and for me Amma is my life.We have tried our best to safeguard Amma; but unfortunately she passed away.”

She reminded party workers to be loyal and committed towards the party to fulfil Jayalithaa’s dream for the state. “Amma always expected loyalty and true work from all cadre and functionaries. I will sacrifice my life for my party and the crores of people. Amma’s dream will continue for Tamil Nadu,” she said. “This government is people’s government. We will follow the path shown by our Amma. If we stand united, future is ours,” she said.

“In those days Indira Gandhi was the only woman leader in politics but Amma broke the tradition and made history,” said Sasikala about Jayalithaa ascension to power as a woman.

Sasikala also promised grand celebrations for entire year in 2017 for centenary of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran. “Centenary of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran will be celebrated in a grand manner throughout the year,” said the AIADMK’s new General Secretary.

The resolution to make was accepted by Sasikala on Friday, the confirmation of which was posted on the party’s Twitter handle. “AIADMK adopts resolution to work under the leadership of Chinnamma,” it read. “Chinnamma accepts the resolution as Honourable CM Thiru O Panneerselvam hands over a copy of it.” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam handed over a copy of the resolution to Sasikala.

To show support to Sasikala, the party members were seen wearing t-shirts bearing her picture, welcoming her in her new office of general secretary.

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she is not technically qualified.

The general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she was not technically qualified.

Jayalalithaa who passed away on December 5 evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party’s general secretary from 1989 to 2016.

Ahead of taking charge, Sasikala paid tribute to Jayalaithaa.

Chennai: Sasikala Natarajan, who will be taking charge as AIADMK’s General Secretary tomorrow, visits former TN CM Jayalalithaa’s memorial pic.twitter.com/pZamVFM5fn

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016

Chennai: Sasikala Natarajan pays tribute to former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa at AIADMK Office pic.twitter.com/zLeqQ6qFDO

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

#WATCH Sasikala Natarajan, who will be taking charge as AIADMK’s General Secy tomorrow, pays tribute at J Jayalalithaa;s memorial in Chennai pic.twitter.com/xawfv17yi4

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016

Chennai: Sasikala Natarajan leaves for AIADMK office in the same car which was used by J Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/lZCnmepxTs

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

The AIADMK in its general body meeting passed a resolution to work under the leadership of Sasikala.

The resolution was accepted by Sasikala, the confirmation of which was posted on the party’s Twitter handle. “AIADMK adopts resolution to work under the leadership of Chinnamma,” it read. “Chinnamma accepts the resolution as Honourable CM Thiru O Panneerselvam hands over a copy of it. Chinnamma accepts to take over as AIADMK General Secretary,” the party’s Twitter handle wrote.

The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder MG Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters here after she arrived in the midst of tight security. She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa. Sasikala formally assumed charge by signing papers after which she proceeded to address the gathering outside.

Supporters gather at AIADMK office in Chennai, Sasikala Natarajan set to take charge as General secretary of the party. pic.twitter.com/glQtRXebCX

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Chennai: Sasikala Natarajan reaches AIADMK office, will take charge as General secretary of the party shortly pic.twitter.com/Kzy07aEUYR

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam handed over a copy of the resolution to Sasikala.

En route to the party office, she was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres who had gathered in large numbers. Party activists had lined up on both sides of the road from the Poes Garden residence to the party headquarters at Royapettah to welcome her.

Sasikala, clad in a light green saree with a pink border, greeted them with folded hands. Party flags, banners and festoons sporting bright images of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were put up on roads, all along from Poes garden to Royapettah. Banners and hoardings hailed Sasikala as Chinnamma everywhere.

Posters put up in Chennai welcoming Sasikala Natarajan as new General Secretary of AIADMK pic.twitter.com/jKfuvyvdAR

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Chennai: AIADMK supporters wear T-shirts bearing picture of Sasikala Natarajan, welcome her as the new General Secretary of the party. pic.twitter.com/Bk2cSHculw

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Supporters gathered at AIADMK office in Chennai, Sasikala Natarajan to take charge as General secretary of the party. pic.twitter.com/HmVf9mXAaJ

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she is not technically qualified. The general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.

Jayalalithaa who passed away on December 5 evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party’s general secretary from 1989 to 2016.

With PTI/ANI inputs.

Source: dnaindia.com