Feb 05, 2017: Time for intense speculation is over, decks are cleared for VK Sasikala also known as Chinamma to become CM of Tamil Nadu. VK Sasikala, the General Secretary of ruling AIADMK has been elected unanimously as the legislature party leader. She would be the third woman CM of Tamil Nadu after late Janaki Ramachandran and J.Jayalalithaa.
Her name was proposed by the current CM O.Panneerselvam in the meeting of AIADMK MLAs at the party headquarters this afternoon. Sasikala is expected to take over as the State CM on February 9. News agencies report, O. Panneerselvam would be given a significant portfolio in Sasikala led Cabinet.
After Sasikala took over the party as the General Secretary on December 29, many leaders of AIADMK urged her to take over the CM post as well. After her swearing in ceremony as CM, Sasikala is to be elected from an Assembly constituency before six months. Chennai RK Nagar constituency fell vacant demise of J.Jayalalithaa. However, it is still unknown from which constituency Sasikala will contest.
The Opposition leader of Tamil Nadu State Assembly and arch rival DMK working president MK Stalin said the elevation of Sasikala will not go well with the people as she was not the popular choice. Having said that elevation of Sasikala is AIADMK’s internal matter, State BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said incumbent O.Panneerselvam has been functioning effectively under stressful situations. She also said Sasikala cannot be equated with late CM J.Jayalalithaa.
However, The Communist party of Tamil Nadu hailed the elevation and party’s State Secretary G.Ramakrishnan has expressed hope that Sasikala would work to fulfillment of people’s aspirations.
