14 facts about VK Sasikala you probably did not know

Sasikala Natarajan is all set to become the Sonia Gandhi of Tamil Nadu after O Paneerselvam ‘retired hurt’ and emptied the seat of the Chief Minister on Sunday. This decision probably came a little too late as it was kind of known that Sasikala will take over the reigns after Jayalalithaa passed away.

 

Paneerselvam’s proxy as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu turned out to be impressive. He was actually praised for his work by the opposition parties like BJP and the DMK. Paneerselvam was efficient but unfortunately he has to make way for Amma’s close kin – VK Sasikala.

 

Before she takes oath as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, here are 15 facts you must know about Sasikala:

 

## Sasikala hails from the Mudalur Village at Sathankulam Tehsil of Thoothukkudi (popularly known as Tuticorin) district in Tamil Nadu.

## Sasikala is married to M Natarajan, who worked as an assistant public relation officer in the Tamil Nadu government temporarily.

 

## Her husband’s job was short-lived as Mr Natarajan lost his way of earning. It was then when they had to pawn their jewelleries to survive.

 

## In the early 1980’s it was Mr Natarajan, who requested IAS officer VS Chandralekha, to introduce Sasikala to Jayalalithaa.

## That was the blueprint of the relationship between Amma and Sasikala and it only grew stronger over the years.

 

## Sasikala moved to Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden (residence) along with her husband in 1988.

## In 1991, Sasikala’s family was accused of accumulating wealth through corruption. This was just after Amma became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time.

 

## In 2011, Jayalalithaa had expelled Sasikala. She had also asked Sasikala to leave the Poes Garden residence along with her family members.

 

## It was only a matter of time that Sasikala convinced Amma that she had severed all ties with her husband and his family. Eventually, she returned to Poes Garden residence within 100 days.

## Sasikala had also been in jail with Jayalalithaa for a very brief period in 2014. A Special Court had sent them to jail over a disproportionate asset case.

 

## Sasikala performed the last rites of Jayalalithaa. Natarajan was also seen attending the VIPs.

## Sasikala has never made a public speech and definitely lacks the stature and charisma of Jayalalithaa.

 

## After Jayalalithaa’s death, Natarajan and his family, who were earlier expelled by Amma, made a dramatic re-appearance.

 

## In case you did not know, Sasikala has served as the mayor of Tuticorin city of Tamil Nadu from 2011-2014.