Trouble Mounts For Sasikala Ahead Of Swearing In, Jayalalithaa's Niece, AIADMK Founding Leader Opposes Her

Tamil Nadu politics which as been in turmoil ever since the death of J Jayalalithaa in December is bracing for more storm.

Chief Minister designate and long time aide of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala Natarajan who was set to take over as the state CM has run into a number of stumbling blocks.

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Initially, it was reported that after O Panneerselvam resigned on Sunday, Sasikala was expected to take oath on Tuesday. However, it has been delayed as the governor C. Vidyasagar Rao is not in the state.

Even though he is expected to return by tonight, it is unclear if he would administer the oath of office to her.

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Sasikala who took over AIADMK's leadership from Jayalalithaa, amid clear rifts within the party leadership and supporters have a number of things to worry about.

Her biggest concern is the Supreme Court verdict in the misappropriated assets case, which also involved later Jayalalithaa. The judgement in the tRs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case has been pending before the Supreme Court since last June.

The court is likely to give its verdict next week. Any unfavourable verdict in the case could end Sasikala's political career even before it has started.

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Sasikala has been convicted along with Jaya in the four out of three cases the later was sentenced, and later acquitted by higher courts.

Her husband is still battling two cases relating to import of a Lexus car+ nearly 20 years ago. There were two parallel proceedings by the CBI and the ED.While he was convicted in the CBI case, and the appeal is pending in the high court, the ED proceedings have picked up momentum now before an economic offences court at Egmore in Chennai.

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Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran is facing the ED fine of 28 crore imposed on him for FERA violations, which has now been confirmed by Madras high court. Last week the high court revived two more ED probed JJTV transponder uplinking fee cases against the former MP.

If that wasn't enough, AIADMK founding leader PH Pandian on Tuesday dropped a bombshell by expressing doubts over the death of Jaya.

"Sasikala cheated us and wants to be the chief minister. We oppose it," he said.

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Pandian questioned the circumstances lead to the death of Jaya and claimed that even without postmortem circumstantial evidence is enough to nail Sasikala and her family.

He has also questioned Sasikala's elevation as AIADMK General Secretary.

"When Jayalalithaa didn't make her even councillor in her lifetime, how could Sasikala become general secretary of the party."

Adding to the growing voice of dissent against Sasikala is Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of Jayalalithaa, who some in the party believe is the heir to Amma's political legacy and assets.

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Deepa, who has already made her political ambitions clear told the media on Tuesday that she will contest elections in the near future, but refused to clarify if it would be against Sasikala when she herself will be seeking vote, most likely from the seat vacated by the death of Amma.

Deepa is also set to announce her own political party on February 24, which is also the birthday of Jayalalithaa.

Hitting out at Sasikala Deepa said the people did not want her to be the next CM.

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Commenting on the explanation given by the doctors of Apollo hospital on Monday Deep said she was not satisfied with the clarification.

"I was not consulted before doctors pulled the plug on her. By not consulting me (as a family member), they are trying to make a point," she said.