New Delhi: After his aunt VK Sasikala announced the formation of a new political party in Tamil Nadu, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran took a jibe at her and likened the move to “instant sambar and instant idli”.He said the development would not affect the prospects of the New Development Agenda in the upcoming parliamentary elections.Sasikala announced her return to politics on February 24 while addressing a public meeting to commemorate the 78th birth anniversary of former chief minister Jayalalithaa at Kamuti in Ramanathapuram district.Reacting to her statement, Dhinakaran told reporters that many parties were held unexpectedly. “Many new political parties are emerging, such as the Instant Sambar Party and the Instant Liberal Party. In a democracy, anyone can start a political party,” he said.He asserted that Jayalalithaa’s true followers, known to cadres as “Amma”, remained united. “All the true followers of Amma – AMMK and AIADMK – are united to face the upcoming assembly elections. We will establish Amma’s rule in the state,” Dhinakaran said while speaking in Tirunelveli, news agency PTI reported. He did not name Sasikala directly but added that the “true face” of those who claimed to restore Amma’s rule in Tamil Nadu had now been exposed.Sasikala said Tamil Nadu would soon witness a “new political chapter” and announced that she would form a new Dravidian party. The party’s name has not yet been announced.At the event, Sasikala unveiled the black, white and red party flag, along with images of former chief ministers CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. She also targeted AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for expelling her from the party.Jayalalithaa’s former close aide Sasikala had earlier said that her decision to form a new party was in the interest of Tamil Nadu, its people and party cadres. She said the new clothing would follow the Dravidian movement and serve the poor and common people.Recalling the political developments after Jayalalithaa’s death in December 2016, Sasikala said ministers and MLAs urged her to become chief minister. However, she said she chose not to accept the post and instead supported Edappadi K Palaniswami as chief minister to ensure stability in the government.She alleged that the man she supported later expelled her from the AIADMK “like throwing a piece of paper”. She also criticized former chief minister O Panneerselvam, saying his decision to pass the ‘Dharma Yudham’ rebellion created political instability and created long-term problems.Sasikala and Dhinakaran were expelled from the AIADMK in August 2017 amid an internal power struggle following Jayalalithaa’s death. Sasikala was later convicted in the disproportionate assets case. Palaniswami eventually consolidated control over the party and expelled Panneerselvam from the AIADMK in July 2022. The Tamil Nadu assembly elections are expected to be held in the first half of this year.
