Can't have ill-will for Jayalalithaa even in dreams, says Sasikala

Chennai: The woman who served as J Jayalalithaa's closest confidante for decades has today spoken about their bitter falling-out. In December, Ms Sasikala, who lived with the Tamil Nadu chief minister in her home, was expelled by Ms Jayalalithaa from her party, the AIADMK.

"I've snapped ties with all those who betrayed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa," Ms Sasikala said in a statement released today to Jaya TV, the official channel of the chief minister's party. "I can't forgive my relatives who worked against her," she added. Ms Sasikala's husband Natarajan and brother Diwakaran have been arrested for alleged land-grabbing.

Though Ms Jayalalithaa has not discussed the reasons for her estrangement with Ms Sasikala, party sources say that the chief minister was tired of her friend interfering with administrative issues, including the postings of bureaucrats. AIADMK sources said those close to the chief minister had warned her of  a plan by Ms Sasikala's family to take over the party if Ms Jayalalithaa is convicted in a corruption case.  She is on trial for allegedly misusing her earlier terms as chief minister for vast personal gains.

In her letter Ms Sasikala  adds "I don't have any ambition to enter politics, nor to become an MLA or a Minister. I've dedicated my life to  my sister, Jayalalithaa."

The statement hints strongly at a possible reconciliation . "I've not thought ill of Jayalalithaa even in my dream," said Ms Sasikala today. "I lived at Jayalalithaa's residence for 24 years. She too accepted me as her sister."

The main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, had described Ms Sasikala's estrangement from the chief minister as a staged drama. The DMK alleges that Ms Jayalalithaa wanted to distance herself temporarily from Ms Sasikala so the latter could serve as scapegoat in the corruption case against the chief minister.