Chennai, Oct 29 (BPNS)

Former Interim general secretary of AIADMK, V.K. Sasikala who was expelled from the party, has reached Pasumpon, 50 km from Madurai to garland the statue of freedom fighter and spiritual leader of the powerful Thevar community, Muthuramalinga Thevar ahead of his birth anniversary.

The visit and garlanding the statue of the icon of Thevar community is seen as a political message of V.K. Sasikala that she would play her community card of Thevar for reentry to AIADMK.

While former Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam had openly stated at Madurai on October 25 that the reentry of Sasikala would be decided by the party high command, Edappadi K. Palaniswami had flatly denied it earlier.

D. Jayakumar, former minister, and party senior leader has also said that Sasikala will not be taken back to the AIADMK fold.

Sasikala’s public display in attending the Thevar Jayanthi celebrations is seen by political observers as a clear message that she would connect with the party cadres and ensure the support of the strong Thevar base of the AIADMK in South Tamil Nadu.

Interestingly, Sasikala reached the venue on Friday in the van which was used by late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa during her election campaign. The van was not used ever since the passing away of Jayalalithaa and this is again seen as a political message that she is in the reckoning and cannot be pushed aside.

R. Padmanabhan, Director, Socio-Economic Development Foundation, a think tank based out of Madurai while speaking to BPNS said, “ Sasikala is clearly sending a message to the party leadership that she has the clout and support of the powerful Thevar community which has a major say in South Tamil Nadu. By garlanding the statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar who is an icon for the Thevar community, she has gained the support of a large number of Thevars in South Tamil Nadu.”