Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other senior government ministers on Thursday met J Jayalalithaa’s longtime aide and companion Sasikala Natarajan at the former chief minister’s Poes Garden residence in Chennai, NDTV reported. The meeting comes amidst speculation on who will lead the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam following Jayalalithaa’s death on Monday.
While Natarajan holds no official position within the AIADMK, senior party leaders have not denied that she could be a front-runner for party chief. Party spokesperson Dr V Maitreyan called Natarajan the “backbone of Poes Garden”, an apparent reference to the fact that she will play a role in the party’s political future. However, Maitreyan denied reports that Jayalalithaa’s aide had manipulated party legislators to ensure that they complied with a succession plan approved by her.
Meanwhile, Poes Garden was opened up to the public for the first time for a few hours on Thursday morning. People across Tamil Nadu held marches and vigils to pay their respects to the former chief minister. AIADMK spokesperson C Ponnaian said party workers were asked to “maintain strict discipline as it was the greatest homage” they could give to their deceased leader, Hindustan Times reported.
At least one lakh police personnel were deployed across the state to ensure peace and stability. In Chennai, newly appointed and trainee security officers were also put on duty to ensure a peaceful state of affairs following Jayalalithaa’s death.
The 68-year-old was buried at MG Ramachandran Memorial off Marina Beach in Chennai. Her death came as a huge shock to the state and party workers. She was the first to win a second consecutive term in the state in 32 years after she was voted back to power in May’s Assembly elections.
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