Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Will Sasikala become CM or not?' that was published in Newsband

Will Sasikala become CM or not?

V. K. Sasikala was nominated general secretary of the AIADMK by its general council. She was elevated from party worker to party head. Two things counted in her favour. First, she was the closest friend of Jayalalithaa. Second, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, the only other possible contender, himself backed Sasikala. Sasikala lived at the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa and that gave her an imposing authority within the AIADMK.

The authority of Panneerselvam as Chief Minister could be undermined by the ascent of Sasikala. Already several ministers have, both privately and publicly, urged her to take over as Chief Minister. In a twist of fate, she has emerged as the most powerful person in Tamil Nadu.

Sonia Gandhi had succeeded Rajiv Gandhi in spite of being a foreigner but her claim to fame and authority was that she was married in to "the family" and therefore had innate ability to lead not only her party but the entire nation. She after a brief lull took full control and appointed PM, council of ministers and so on. So this nation has a long tradition starting with the oldest party of using feudal approach. So why blame Sasikala?

Jayalalitha was the voice of AIADMK as well as the voice of entire TN. No one can fill her place. But, Sasikala, her best friend, can follow her responsibility. She will have to do lot of hard work. Her ability to garner the support of the AIDMK cadres in typical Amma style will be watched closely by her political rivals as well as the Centre, which is waiting for a window to find its feet in Tamil Nadu.

The rise of Jayalalithaa whose life met with an abrupt and tragic end and the present rise of Sasikala would remind one, the following lines of William Shakespeare: “In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."

No doubt Sasikala may lack popular base. When NTR died, his son-in-law Chandra Babu Naidu won the battle for succession in the party though he lacked charisma and runs the government well. Similarly Sasikala also can do better if she avoids the controversial policies and tactics of her friend JJ.

The very fact that Sasikala has acquired control over the party is preeminently established by her elevation as General Secretary. This shows her acumen to control the party, a trait she must have "inherited" from Amma with whom she spent her long years. Therefore, if she could be also expected to command authority as CM of the State of Tamil Nadu, it will not be surprising.

But Sasikala has to wait for the judgment of the SC in the DA case. If the court finds her not guilty, she will press her position forward to become CM. But if the Apex court overturns the Karnataka High Court verdict in the DA case, in such a scenario Sasikala may go to jail. It will be prudent for the AIADMK to wait and watch.