Tried my best to stop Sasikala from 'stepping aside': Dinakaran

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief T T V Dinakaran on Wednesday said he tried his best to persuade his aunt V K Sasikala from 'stepping aside' from politics.

In a statement earlier on Wednesday, expelled All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Sasikala said she is 'stepping aside' from politics and urged the AIADMK cadres to stand united and ensure the defeat of rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the forthcoming assembly elections.

"I tried my best to persuade Sasikala out of the decision. I delayed half an hour but she decided on her decision. The AMMK will continue contesting this election under my leadership," he said, while addressing media outside Sasikala's residence in Chennai.

Dinakaran said he met Sasikala earlier in the day to discuss her stand in the upcoming elections.

"However when I went home, I was told that she was breaking the news about stepping down. So I came back rushing," he added.

"I don't speak for her. All she wanted to convey is there in this letter. I don't influence her, she is AIADMK's General secretary. What she thinks is that Amma's cadres should be work together," Dinakaran said further.

He added that his party, AMMK is accepting applications of candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls, and a possible alliance for election is also in process.

"We will announce candidates list on March 10," he added.

Earlier, Sasikala in a statement said, 'I set myself apart from politics and pray for the golden rule of my Goddess Akka (Jayalalithaa). I will continue to pray for her vision always.'

The former aide of Jayalalithaa said, 'I have neither desired for the position nor for authority.'

'We should work diligently to ensure that DMK does not come into power. I am thankful to caders and the people of Tamil Nadu who have given due respect and concern towards me.

'I would like to continue my life, as I was executing the vision of Jayalalithaa,' she said.

The AIADMK has so far ruled out accommodating her or her nephew Dinakaran-led AMMK in the party or in the alliance led by it.

The development comes a month ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu on April 6.

Sasikala had been staying at her niece J Krishnapriya's residence in Chennai's T Nagar area after returning to the city in February following the completion of her four-year prison sentence in a disproportionate assets case.

The former AIADMK leader was discharged on January 31 from Bengaluru's Victoria hospital where she was undergoing COVID-19 treatment.

She was officially released from judicial custody on January 27 after completing her four-year prison sentence in a disproportionate assets case.