Can Sasikala really do a Jayalalithaa?

"Through thick and thin, till death do us part," this wedding vow can hold good for the friendship of former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa and her closest aide and friend Sasikala Natarajan.

For close to 75 days, Sasikala was seen holding the fort for Jayalalithaa. The AIADMK too ensured that she was projected to be the second-in-command when Amma was hospitalised in Apollo. There was reportedly no decision made without Sasikala's nod. Also, soon after Jaya's death, the power shift for the senior party leaders, at least, was way too smooth.

Rise of Chinnamma

Within hours after the death of their beloved Amma, senior party cadres found their Chinnamma, as Sasikala is known. The transition was so smooth and quick that not just the opposition and critics raised eyebrows, but even grassroots-level workers had their doubts.

Tamil Nadu was seen debating and discussing the manner in which Amma's hospitalisation was handled - from senior politicians to filmstars, everyone wanted answers for the alleged "suspicious" death.

All through the hue and cry, one section was silent, and called themselves members of the military party that has found solace in the guidance of Chinnamma. Senior AIADMK leaders like Madhusudhanan, Sengotaiyan and Thambidurai were seen pleading with Chinnamma to take up the post of the party general secretary, which till recently was held by the CM (in the case of MGR and Jayalalithaa earlier).

But this time, it was seen that CM O Panneerselvam, a trusted lieutenant of Jayalalithaa who had safeguarded the government as the interim CM twice before (2001 and 2014) in her absence, too was insisting that Sasikala take over the mantle.

Panneerselvam, in fact, made a press statement supporting Sasikala and the party's decision to urge her to be the next general secretary. He will also be the first CM to not be elected as the party's general secretary.

Now, a fresh plea has been made by senior party leaders - Sasikala as CM - and the first to make an official request was Thambidurai.

This will certainly not be the first time for Panneerselvam to act like the protector of the realm in the absence of "the leader", but this time the hope was that he would serve as CM till the completion of the tenure.

Opposition leader MK Stalin, while criticising Thambidurai's "fan letter", said the request for a new CM is like insulting the post held by Panneerselvam.

Sasikala as CM?

AIADMK has so far proved it is ready to break all regulations to ensure Sasikala becomes the party general secretary. A minimum of five years in the party is the base requirement for holding the post but Sasikala was able to find a way around that.

On the day of the AIADMK general council meeting, December 29, it was seen that within minutes of the start of the meeting, senior party leaders rushed to Poes Garden with the resolution to make Sasikala the general secretary.

Something that looked like a well orchestrated drama.

Not only is Sasikala projected as a close aide of Jaya who stood by her through thick and thin but also as the guiding force for the party in Amma's absence. Her tearful speech and claiming herself to be the follower of Amma made many rethink calling Sasikala amateur.

Panneerselvam's silence on the demand made by Thambidurai and also the history of the former's projection of loyalty makes it looks like another quick change of CMs. It is not so difficult too. All that is needed is Sasikala's election as CM by the AIADMK legislature party.

Though she hasn't held a political post before nor is an MLA, she will have a six-month window for getting herself elected as one.

The big question is, where will she contest from? Though the RK Nagar constituency is vacant, contesting from a seat in the city is highly unlikely. It is expected that she would look for a Thavar, Gounder dominated constituency to ensure that she wins.

Future of the military party

"For Amma, the party was life and for me Amma was life... Ms Jayalalithaa said I am because of the people, I am by the people - we will stay true to that," said Sasikala.

AIADMK, the military party, continues to be true to its description. From creating a sycophancy towards their leader, to giving a god-like persona to them, and also continuing to keep the media away, the AIADMK has been successful in all of this.

In 2014, the big hurdle for the party was the DA case verdict and even now, what is looming like a huge crisis for Sasikala and her supporters, is the expected Supreme Court verdict on the DA case.

The well planned story will have a setback only if there is a verdict against Sasikala. While that wait continues, it will be seen that all senior leaders will push the request for Sasikala as CM over and over again.

Jayalalithaa was quick in taking over after MGR's death and now Sasikala too will have to take over soon, if she desires to lead the party forward. At 54, this will be a new battle that Sasikala will have to fight alone.

Also read: Can Sasikala be the new Amma of AIADMK and Tamil Nadu?