V K Sasikala

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

A profile

The Times of India

In December 2016, the ruling AIADMK party passed a resolution to work under the leadership of VK Sasikala, a close aide of former Chief Minister and party leader Jayalalithaa.

Hailing from a humble background from Mannargudi in south Tamil Nadu, 'Chinnamma' as Sasikala was known in her circles gradually gained acceptance in the Veda Nilayam residence, and even wielded influence in AIADMK at one point of time

Sasikala used to run a video store and record weddings attended by Jayalalithaa. VK Sasikala was introduced to Jayalalithaa by IAS officer-turned-politician VS Chandralekha, whose Public Relation Officer R Natarajan was Sasikala’s husband. Jayalalithaa and Sasikala Natarajan’s friendship grew and she became her closest confidante, even being in-charge of her house.

Jayalalithaa was so fond of Sasikala that, much to the chagrin of the CM’s family, she spent crores of rupees on the wedding of her foster son Sudhakaran, who is actually Sasikala’s nephew. He married Sathyalakshmi, the granddaughter of veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan. Not only that, Jayalalithaa chose to dress exactly like Sasikala at Sudhakaran’s wedding!

In 2011, Jayalalithaa and Sasikala Natarajan’s friendship saw a rift, much like Jayalalithaa and MGR’s earlier. Due to a misunderstanding, Jayalalithaa expelled Sasikala and her husband, and 11 other family members from the AIADMK. Sasikala left her family and returned to Amma, whom she called ‘Akka’ (elder sister). Sasikala used to accompany Jayalalithaa at various functions including the latter's election campaigns in her special vehicle, earning the sobriquet of 'Jayalalithaa's shadow' from detractors. Sasikala performed the final rituals in the Vaishnavite tradition to which Jayalalithaa belonged. Jayalalithaa’s nephew Deepak Jayakumar also accompanied Sasikala during the rites.