From 'Amma', AIADMK moves to 'Chinnamma' - Sasikala Natarajan to be next party general secretary

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's long-time aide Sasikala Natarajan will be the next general secretary, a party spokesperson confirmed this on Thursday.

It is clear that 'Chinnamma' (Sasikala) will be the next General Secretary of party, C Ponnaiyan, AIADMK spokesperson said.

Natarajan, 54, holds no post in the party. Rules will be amended if needed to place her in control, said the AIADMK spokesperson.

"It is the desire of the entire party," he said, adding, "Sasikala has functioned as the conscience of Amma."

 Natarajan, who lived with Jayalalithaa at her huge bungalow in Chennai's Poes Garden, is often referred to as "Chinamma" or younger mother.

After the demise of Jayalalithaa on December 5, top party leaders including party presidium chairman E Madusudanan, party treasurer and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai had urged Sasikala to take on the top post and lead the party.

Party functionaries from districts including Tiruchirappalli, Sivaganga, Ariyalur, Kanyakumari, Tiruvarur had also met her at the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa and urged her to guide the party at this "critical juncture after Amma's passing away."

Functionaries from several party wings like the youth wings for young men and women (Ilaignar Pasarai and Ilam Pengal Pasarai) and Information Technology Wing had made similar demands.

Leaders of alliance parties including CK Tamilarasan-led Republican Party of India, and legislator S Karunas-led Mukkalathor Puli Padai met and requested Sasikala to take on the top job of the AIADMK.