AIADMK leaders urge Sasikala to take charge

J Jayalalithaa's close aide V Sasikala alongside the coffin of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Chennai: Hours after Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK said there is no rift or fight within the party for the powerful post of the general secretary, a group of party officials requested late leader J Jayalalithaa's confidante VK Sasikala to take charge of the party.

"We had requested Sasi­kala to take charge of the party. Party leaders like E Madhusudhanan, party Presidium Chairman, Valarma­thi, KA Sengottaiyan, Saidai Duraisamy and I met Sasikala and made the request," party spokesperson CR Saraswathi said on Saturday.

They met Sasikala at the Poes Garden residence of former CM and party general secretary Jayalalithaa.

This is the first time since the death of Jayalalithaa, party officials have openly gone and requested Sasikala to take charge.

"Senior funct­ionaries of AIADMK urge Thirumathi Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by Puratchi Thalaivi Amma," read a tweet in the AIADMK's account.