In preparation for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, V. K. Sasikala, the ousted interim General Secretary of AIADMK, is engaging in extensive consultations with her supporters across the state. These consultations, which commenced recently, are seen as a lead-up to a significant announcement regarding her group’s electoral plans. Sasikala is reportedly meeting with former legislators, district-level officials, and long-time backers to gauge the political landscape and the strength of her faction.
The discussions are set to continue until February 18, with a final decision on Sasikala’s political direction expected before February 24, which marks the birth anniversary of J. Jayalalithaa, holding sentimental value for AIADMK members. Despite not holding any formal position in AIADMK presently, Sasikala maintains that she is the rightful General Secretary. Her supporters argue that it is time for her faction to actively participate in electoral politics, contrasting with their passive role in the 2021 elections.
A senior member of Sasikala’s group mentioned that the ongoing interactions aim to convince her that their faction should engage in electoral activities to assert its presence. They criticize AIADMK’s current operations, claiming a departure from the principles of the party’s founders. Notably, Sasikala herself is ineligible to contest the 2026 polls due to her disqualification following a corruption conviction in 2017, which will end next year.
Sasikala’s nephew, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, established the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) in 2018, initially appointing Sasikala as General Secretary during her imprisonment in Bengaluru. However, he later assumed the position, pursuing independent political stances. Meanwhile, AIADMK’s general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has dismissed the possibility of accommodating Sasikala or former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam within the party.
Sasikala’s camp perceives AIADMK’s electoral setbacks as indicative of organizational deficiencies, contemplating various alliance options, including potential collaboration with Panneerselvam or other regional groups, as she gears up to make a crucial decision.
