Sasikala performs Jayalalithaa's last rites, showing where power in the AIADMK really lies

It was a political statement of monumental proportions.

All through Tamil Nadu leader Jayalalithaa’s last journey on Tuesday, VN Sasikala , her close aide, chose to steadfastly stand guard by the bier.

This was a powerful message to the rank and file of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, invoking memories of a sad Friday 29 years ago.

In December 1987, when party founder MG Ramachandran died , Jayalalithaa assumed a similar position to the one Sasikala took on Tuesday at the Rajaji Hall. Two years later, Jayalalithaa would become the AIADMK supremo.

However, Sasikala did not face the kind of animosity Jayalalithaa confronted from AIADMK members in 1987. There was a touch of reverence in the way party leaders attended to Sasikala, who known in the organisation as “chinna amma” or younger mother.

Sasikala performed the final rituals in the Vaishnavite tradition to which Jayalalithaa belonged. But she wasn’t alone in this task. Jayalalithaa’s nephew Deepak Jayakumar made a surprise appearance and followed Sasikala closely during the rites.

The way AIADMK leaders conducted themselves on Tuesday during Jayalalithaa’s funeral provided ample indications about where the new power center was shifting. With the death of Jayalalithaa, the party has to elect a new general secretary very soon.

Leaders recognise Sasikala

Almost every political leader who paid homage to Jayalalithaa’s body at Rajaji Hall reached out to Sasikala to console her.

While she stood prominently next to the leader’s remains, O Panneerselvam, who was sworn in as chief minister on Tuesday morning, chose to mostly remain with other ministers and party members.

Congress leaders, in particular, were keen to introduce both Sasikala and her husband Natarajan to party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

After Gandhi placed a wreath near the body, he was promptly directed towards Sasikala by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su Thirunavukkarasu. Moments later, as Gandhi began to leave, Thirunavukkarasu asked him to wait and then called Natarajan, so Gandhi could be introduced to him.

Natarajan’s presence at the funeral surprised many as it was assumed for long that he was not in Jayalalithaa’s good books.

Sasikala’s relatives were out in full strength at Rajaji Hall. Seen in the front all through the day was her nephew Dr Sivakumar, who party circles said had closely monitored Jayalalithaa’s health until the very end. There was also Sasikala’s brother Dhivaharan and sister-in-law Ilavarasi.

Of Jayalalithaa’s family, AIADMK officials said only Deepak Jayakumar was present. It was not clear whether Jayakumar was called in specifically for the rites or whether he had been in touch with the former chief minister all these years. It wasn’t clear whether Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa, who tried to meet her aunt at the Apollo hospital, was present.

Modi gets huge ovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who reached out to Sasikala to speak a few consolatory words. However, an AIADMK legislator said the ovation that Modi received when he arrived at the hall took every one by surprise.

“The crowd consisted of hardcore AIADMK cadres,” the leader added. “Not many of us expected that reception.”

Chief Minister Panneerselvam, who resolutely controlled his emotions through the day, broke down the moment he saw Modi reaching the podium on which Jayalalithaa’s body was placed. In fact, Panneerselvam teared up three times in a matter of few minutes in the presence of Modi, who hugged him.

Several chief ministers of other states, including Akilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinayari Vijayan, V Narayanasamy and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, paid their respects. In fact, Yadav even got on to the vehicle carrying the body.

No cremation

Jayalalithaa belonged to a Brahmin Iyyengar family whose custom it was to cremate the dead. But she was buried next to her mentor MG Ramachandran near the Marina Beach. An Vaishnavite priest directed a brief ritual.

AIADMK officials did not explain why a burial was preferred. The assumption was that this would facilitate the erection of a memorial.