A Monumental Challenge: Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami Seals Doors to Jaya Legacy as Sasikala Plots Return Over the past two weeks, t...

A Monumental Challenge: Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami Seals Doors to Jaya Legacy as Sasikala Plots Return

Over the past two weeks, the current AIADMK leadership—which was once servile at the feet of VK Sasikala before her incarceration four years ago—showed the first open signs that it was preparing to fight off a legacy claim.

Just a few days after unveiling the phoenix-themed memorial for J Jayalalithaa along the breezy shores of the Marina in Chennai, Edappadi K Palaniswami chose to seal it off. Right now, entry is barricaded with a sign saying it’s closed for public visits. Apparently, the government is enabling ongoing works at the monument.

OEven to the half-initiated, this was clearly to stop VK Sasikala from making a dramatic appearance. Of the few remembered events in post-Jayalalithaa political history, the vow Sasikala made at the grave of her companion stands out even now. In that context, Palaniswami’s move to ward off a repeat clearly indicates the scuffle for legacy is far from over.

The second indication that Palaniswami wants no I-am-the-true-heir claims from Sasikala is the decision to unveil the Jayalalithaa memorial at her Poes Garden residence on January 28. VK Sasikala was also a resident of Veda Nilayam, Poes Garden, for several decades. In fact, just before she set off for prison in February 2017, Sasikala met supporters at the bungalow with a smile on her face, even though her eyes barely concealed the steely resolve of vengeance. It is precisely this sentiment that Palaniswami thinks he is fighting as he closes all doors for Sasikala to symbolise her claim to Jayalalithaa’s legacy.