The AIADMK stepped into damage control mode to scotch rumours and speculation on who will lead the party following the demise of its General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa.

C Ponnaiyan, a senior member of the AIADMK, addressing mediapersons at the party headquarters today, said a general council meeting will be called soon and the General Secretary elected.

There is no rift within the party or competition for the post, which will soon be filled by somebody who has the capability to nurture and grow the party and protect its more than 1.5 crore supporters, he said.

“As of now no individual has been identified,” he asserted.

Following the death of Jayalalithaa last Monday following a cardiac arrest, O Panneerselvam, the Finance Minister in her Cabinet was sworn in as the Chief Minister the same night. However, media and social websites have been rife with rumours on who will be the General Secretary.

Since its founding in 1972, the founder M.G. Ramachandran, the former Chief Minister, followed by Jayalalithaa, were the unanimous choice for the post. Jayalalithaa was even dubbed the ‘permanent’ General Secretary.

Speculation on the possible candidate for the post included Sasikala, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa. But she has always remained behind the scene.

Ponnaiyan dismissed all such speculation as `baseless rumours’. The level of unity within the party is ‘immeasurable’. The AIADMK is an `iron fort of discipline based on principles’ and built by MGR and Jayalalithaa and continues to be protected by their blessings, he said.

To questions on senior ministers, including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and others meeting Sasikala at the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa, “there is nothing wrong in that,” he said.

Sasikala is an important member of the party and a close associate of the dead leader. “Party work is different from government. The government is headed by the Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and the party work is conducted by a hierarchy such as the General Council and the Executive Council and a structure that extends down to the grass roots. All 1.5 crore party supporters run it,” he said.

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