Chennai: Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha’s close aide, V.K.Sasikala was accorded grand reception as she entered Tamil Nadu on Monday, following her release from Bengaluru prison, where she served four year jail term after being convicted in the disproportionate asset case.
The moment she crossed into Tamil Nadu at Athibelle in Krishnagiri district bordering Karnataka, this morning, scores of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and AIADMK holding party flags received her by bursting crackers, beating ‘chenda melams’ and ‘poorna kumbams.’
A large number of women cadres holding decorated ‘kalasams’ on their heads lined up on the roadsides and greeted her.
She travelled in a car bearing AIADMK flag over the bonnet, disregarding the warning by the ruling AIADMK against the use of party flag by non-members.
Tension prevailed at Zuzuvadi in Hosur, when the police team led by Krishnagiri Additional Superintendent of Police Shaktivel stopped Ms.Sasikala’s vehicle and demanded that she collect the notice for violating the police order forbidding the use of AIADMK flag. A legal team accompanying Ms.Sasikala’s convoy led by N.Raja Senthoor Pandian held talks with the police and refused to abide by the notice on the grounds that it was ‘sub-judice.’
Later, the police team served the notice to the legal team and got an acknowledgement of the receipt of the notice. However, the police did not remove the AIADMK flag from the car.
Sasikala was accompanied by her nephew and AMMK general Secretary T.T.V.Dhinakaran and others.
She will stay at her niece J.Krishnapriya’s residence in the T.Nagar area of Chennai.
Meanwhile, security has been increased at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai and Jayalalitha’s memorial on the Marina Beach to prevent Sasikala from entering the headquarters and visiting the mausoleum.
Sasikala was released from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on January 27, but however she was treated at Victoria Hospital for COVID-19. She was discharged from the hospital on January 31. Sasikala was in quarantine for a week before leaving for Chennai.
Meanwhile, senior AIADMK leader and State Fisheries Minister D.Jayakumar took exception to Sasikala using the party flag in her car. Sasikala and her aides have no link to AIADMK and it is illegal for anyone else other than party functionaries to use the flag.
He also recalled the remarks of Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K.Palaniswami that 100 percent there was no place for Sasikala in AIADMK.
When asked whether the ruling AIADMK leaders were nervous about Sasikala’s return, he said “there is no need for us to panic.” It was Dhinakaran who will be nervous as Sasikala may ask an explanation from him on ‘many’ issues, he added.
