In her first meeting with AIADMK district secretaries since taking charge as the party’s general secretary on December 31, V.K. Sasikala on Wednesday exhorted party functionaries to remain united and stave off any “evil designs” by the opposition parties.
Ms. Sasikala’s interaction with district secretaries on Wednesday was the first in a series of similar meetings being organised by the party across the State.
Reiterating the appeal she made to party functionaries when she took charge as the party general secretary, she said, “Do not allow any evil designs by opposition parties to break us. We need to work with the same kind of military discipline that was prevalent when Amma (Jayalalithaa) was alive.”
Besides, she also urged them to work towards ensuring that former Chief Minister MGR’s birth centenary is celebrated in a grand manner throughout the year. “She has asked us to conduct public meetings, sports meetings and other events to commemorate MGR’s birth centenary. We have been told to spread the word in every hamlet and every district to ensure that we reach out to people across the State,” said Tamizh Magan Hussain, secretary of All India MGR Manram.
When asked if there was any mention or if any member had raised the issue of Ms. Sasikala taking up the mantle of the Chief Minister, a district secretary said, “She will decide when the time is right. There was no discussion about it today. But the party is completely behind her and would like her to take up the post.”
She also called on party members to be prepared for, and ensure victory in, the upcoming local body polls in Chennai.
Building rapport
Ms. Sasikala’s repeated calls for unity come against the backdrop of rumours regarding a possible split within the party and discontent among party members ever since the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The meetings with district secretaries are being seen as a means to lay the groundwork for Ms. Sasikala to build her base in the party and gain the confidence of the lower-rung party workers and core supporters who are reportedly dissatisfied with her elevation.
