The presence of three ministers with some AIADMK (Amma) supporters at the 16th day ceremony of Sasikala’s nephew T.V. Magaadevan on Sunday, which was attended by her younger brother Divakaran and other relatives in Thanjavur, has created a stir in political circles considering that the ruling party had announced its decision to keep the Sasikala family at bay.
On Sunday, Textiles Minister O.S. Manian, Food Minister R. Kamaraj and Agriculture Minister R. Doraikkannu attended the ceremony in which Sasikala’s husband M. Natarajan also participated. The AIADMK (Amma) mouthpiece Dr. Namadhu MGR, which seemingly is still under the control of the Sasikala family, published a photograph of the ministers along with Mr. Divakaran and Mr. Natarajan on Monday.
However, Mr. Manian brushed aside allegations of siding with Sasikala’s family and said his presence there was only due to “friendship and more than 30 years relationship” with the family. “Relationship and friendship is one thing, politics is something different. We said we will keep them away from politics and I too was one of the persons who took the decision to keep them away from the party. I stand by that 100%,” Mr. Manian said .
Mr. Manian said the family was from his native place, Thiruthuraipoondi, and he knew them from 1980 when Sasikala’s family-owned Chandrashekar Medical Shop was established in the area.
The AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) camp led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has been insisting on completely keeping away Sasikala and her family members from the party and the government and has also been seeking the formal stepping down of Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran from their respective party posts.
When asked if the presence of Mr. Divakaran and Mr. Natarajan at the event would not send a wrong signal since the ministers had said they had disowned the family, Mr. Manian said there could be no politics in an hour of grief.
