J Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, who remained a wall of support for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister through thick and thin, will be the new chief of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AlADMK), the party said.
"It is clear that Chinnamma (Sasikala) will be the next Gen Secretary of party," AIADMK Spokesperson C Ponnaiyan told ANI.
Several AIADMK functionaries from various districts had earlier urged Sasikala to lead the party on the path shown by Jayalalithaa.
After Jayalalithaa's death, 59-year-old Sasikala was seen prominently by her stand, intermittently standing up and touching Jayalalithaa's face at Rajaji Hall where the late chief minister's body was kept in state. Sasikala also performed the last rites at the Marina Beach where Jayalalithaa was buried beside her mentor MGR.
Last week, strongly backing Sasikala, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had said she should become general secretary and lead the AIADMK.
He said Sasikala shared Jayalalithaa's grief, she lived with her as her trusted aide and was like a sister. He said that she imbibed the thoughts and working style of Jayalalithaa by being with her for over 30 years. She lived like Jayalalithaa's shadow "till Amma's death," he added.
