On January 2, the 54-year-old will formally take over as AIADMK general secretary, a post held by Ms Jayalalithaa till she died on December 5. On cue, the solo Jayalalithaa banner outside the party office was replaced by one showing the former Chief Minister presenting flowers to Ms Natarajan. Slogans of "Long live Chinamma (mother's younger sister)" were shouted.
"Like we saw MGR (MG Ramachandran, AIADMK founder) in Jayalalithaa, we see Jayalalithaa in Sasikala," said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, whose place in the party's power structure after Ms Natarajan's elevation has been widely speculated.
'Sasikala has said she will follow in Jayalalithaa's footsteps," said Mr Panneerselvam, who was sworn in as Chief Minister hours after Ms Jayalalithaa's death was declared.
Ms Natarajan's takeover as AIADMK chief was announced by party leaders as a given even though she is not technically qualified; the general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.
Mr Panneerselvam is the first Chief Minister from AIADMK who will not be the general secretary of the party. It became a tradition as Ms Jayalalithaa held both posts, unchallenged.
As lakhs paid tribute to their "Amma" after her death, Ms Natarajan emerged as a strong presence by her side, exuding power as top party leaders, including Mr Panneerselvam, retreated to the sidelines.
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