Sasikala Natarajan, a longtime aide of Jayalalithaa's, is shown prominently in the poster.
As AIADMK looks for a suitable candidate to lead the party after the death of party chief J Jayalalithaa, posters in favour of Sasikala Natarajan have appeared outside the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai.
Ms Natarajan, a longtime aide of Jayalalithaa's, is shown prominently in the poster. They also feature the picture of a man claiming to be Murugan Natarajan and his mobile number. "Sasikala being a woman she too would steer the party like Amma. She has learnt a lot from her," the poster reads.
Though the party is yet to elect a new general secretary - a post held by Jayalalithaa for 27 years - many from the cabinet have met Sasikala over the last three days.
"Poes Garden is like a temple for us. Yes, the senior ministers and some of us met Sasikala," said one minister.
Ms Natarajan has been urged by senior leaders of the AIADMK to lead the party, a tweet by the AIADMK on Saturday said. Sources in the party say AIADMK leaders are discussing creating a new post like Additional General Secretary for Ms Natarajan as they want Ms Jayalalithaa to remain as permanent General Secretary. Sources said the final call will be taken before the party's general council meet.
"Sasikala is also an AIADMK member. What's wrong in her becoming the General Secretary," a senior leader said hinting a possible ascension for her.
However many are not happy with reports that Sasikala is turning up as the new power centre in the party. "Amma had handpicked O Panneerselvam. He should be the chief minister as well as party chief," said an AIADMK supporter in Cuddalore district.
Some party supporters also claim that Ms Natarajan's projection as party chief will put it in bad light. "Because of Sasikala, only Amma got all the bad name and went to jail on corruption charges. She shouldn't be allowed to hijack the party," said a party worker.
Jayalalithaa had expelled Sasikala from her Poes Garden residence and many of her relatives four years ago after corruption cases emerged against the latter. Ms Natarajan was allowed back only after she promised to sever ties with her family.
However all of them including her estranged husband were present on stage along with Jayalalithaa's body a few days ago.