A teary-eyed VK Sasikala, who announced in March that she will "stay away from politics and public life", visited the memorials of former chief ministers J Jayalalithaa, MG Ramachandran and CN Annadurai along the Marina today in a public spectacle, a day ahead of the golden jubilee celebration of the founding of the AIADMK party.
The expelled AIADMK leader arrived at the memorial in a car sporting the party flag of her former party. This is Ms Sasikala's first visit to the memorial since her return from jail earlier this year. The development follows AIADMK's loss in the assembly and the local body polls.
"I am confident MGR and Jayalalithaa would save the cadre and the party. There is good future," she told mediapersons assembled at the venue.
At the Jayalalithaa memorial, she was seen teary-eyed as she stood reflecting for a few minutes amid a sea of supporters surrounding her.
"I've offloaded the burden in my heart at Amma's memorial. Amma lived for cadre and people of Tamil Nadu," she added.
Some analysts say it is a bid to resurrect her political career. She however is on record downplaying the same.
"I have never been after power or position even when Jaya was alive. Won't do that after she is dead. I am staying away from politics to ensure continuation of AIADMK's 'golden rule' in Tamil Nadu," Ms Sasikala said in a letter earlier this year ahead of Tamil Nadu state polls.
Ms Sasikala's retreat from politics was seen as an attempt to insulate herself from potential criticism that she helped the DMK capture power if election results turned favourable for the opposition.
The AIADMK, which expelled her form the party, has reiterated that there is no place for her.
A quick exposition. Ms Sasikala had stepped in as party chief after Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016, and unsuccessfully attempted to become the chief minister as she was handed four-year jail term for corruption in the disproportionate assets case in which Jayalalithaa was the prime accused.
Before she left for jail she handpicked Edappadi K Palaniswami, or EPS, to become Chief Minister. He had unseated the then Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, or OPS, after he rebelled against Ms Sasikala's claim, to take over.
However, in her absence, the two patched up and had her removed from the post.
Ms Sasikala has never contested any election - not even one within her former party.
"Time Is Ripe, My Re-Entry Into AIADMK Has Begun," VK Sasikala Declares J Jayalalithaa Decided Not To Go Abroad For Treatment, Claims Close Aide I Will Unite AIADMK, Cadres Believe In Me: VK Sasikala Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think India Blocks 17,000 WhatsApp Accounts Of Hackers From South-East Asia "Dark Moment": Israeli Envoy On World Court's 'Arrest Netanyahu Order' IBPS PO Prelims 2024 Results Released, Mains Details Inside Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.