Jayalalithaa aide Sasikala launches new political party, unveils flag, promises fresh political chapter

V K Sasikala, close aide of late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new political party , declaring that the state was entering a new political chapter . Addressing a public meeting at Kamuthi to mark Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary, she said the party’s name would be announced soon and asserted that the new outfit would “root out enemies and traitors.”

Sasikala unveiled the party flag featuring the images of C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa , set against a horizontal tricolour of black, white, and red. She described it as a symbol of continuity, social justice, and people-centric governance. The launch is expected to lead to a four-cornered electoral contest in the April Assembly polls, with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA, and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam also in the fray.

Recalling events after Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016, Sasikala accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of betrayal, saying she had ensured government stability but was later expelled. She also criticised former chief minister O Panneerselvam’s ‘Dharma Yudham’, terming it politically damaging. Reiterating her stance against the DMK, she vowed to dislodge the ruling party from power .

Referring to her imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, Sasikala said she remained in Bengaluru jail between 2017 and 2021 and avoided a transfer to Tamil Nadu to prevent political allegations.

Reacting sharply, her nephew and AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran mocked the launch , comparing it to “instant idli and sambar” and claiming it would not impact NDA prospects.

Meanwhile, expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam ruled out joining the DMK or floating a new party, dismissing speculation over his political future.