Amidst rumours and conflicting statements about her political future, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s niece J. Deepa on Saturday made it clear that she was determined to contest the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar bypoll. She also expressed shock at her husband Madhavan floating a political party of his own.
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“Winning the RK Nagar seat will pave the way for me to become Jayalalithaa’s rightful successor,” she told reporters at a hastily called press meet.
A day earlier, her husband had said that “unwanted forces” were exerting influence on MGR Amma Deepa Peravai — the federation floated by his wife. Ms. Deepa, however, differed and alleged that both the AIADMK and DMK were trying to sabotage her political career.
“Sasikala made sure that my father was pushed out of my aunt Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden home. Then, she drove a wedge between my brother Deepak and me. Now, the same forces are trying to influence my husband to go against me. I will overcome all these plots launched against me,” added Ms. Deepa.
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Scotches rumours
On Saturday, rumours did the rounds that she would dissolve her political party and join the O.Panneerselvam faction. But she scotched them at her press meet.
Claiming that her political rivals had become nervous about the support she received from people, Ms. Deepa said isolating her from her family would not work. “Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran think that if they separate me and my family, I will not enter politics. I have no fear. I will contest and the RK Nagar constituency voters will give my enemies a fitting reply,” she said.