No surprises: Sasikala will helm Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK

Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK chose VK Sasikala, a confidante of the late J Jayalalithaa, as its new General Secretary at its Executive Council meeting on Thursday.

As was widely expected, Sasikala, 60, was selected unanimously, making her the third General Secretary of the AIADMK after its founder MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, both of whom went on to become State Chief Ministers.

Sombre affair The General Council meeting was a rather sombre affair, without the loud music, live orchestra and palatial settings that usually characterise the AIADMK’s meetings. Over 2,000 police personnel were present to ensure a peaceful meeting, which saw over General Council members in attendance. The meeting began with a condolence resolution for Jayalalithaa, whose picture was placed on a chair in the middle of the stage. A number of party cadres wept as Chief Minister and party Treasurer O Panneerselvam spoke.

The meeting passed 14 resolutions, including the appointment of Sasikala as party General Secretary.

CM breaks news It was the Chief Minister who broke the news of “Chinnamma” Sasikala’s appointment as General Secretary. He was flanked by Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai and Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy.

The resolution reads that Sasikala is appointed General Secretary till she is formally elected to that post in tune with party rule 20, clause 2.