Feeling lonely in the absence of Jayalalithaa, says Sasikala
- Sasikala Natarajan remembered J Jayalalithaa on the eve of her 69th birthday.
- She urged AIADMK workers to tirelessly serve the public and uphold Jayalalithaa's fame.
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On the eve of the late J Jayalalithaa's 69th birthday on February 24, AIADMK chief V K Sasikala said she was feeling "lonely" in the absence of her predecessor and long-time friend.
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In a message to party workers, Sasikala, serving a jail term in connection with a Disproportionate Assets case, urged them to tirelessly serve the public and uphold Jayalalithaa's fame.
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Sasikala said every year Jayalalithaa's birthday was celebrated with fervour, but "I never thought this year will turn out to be so challenging."
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"That Amma is not with us makes me more sad. After having celebrated her birthday with her for the past 33 years, I feel lonely this year in her memories. My thoughts revolve around her," she said.
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Jayalalithaa was a popular leader, and anybody who had met her even once would remember her for life, she added.
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Sasikala recalled that Jayalalithaa had united the party post the death of its founder M G Ramachandran in 1987, later tactfully steering it through various challenges and said the late leader was known for her "love, compassion and hard work."
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"Let the events held to mark Amma's 69th birth anniversary be done with the intention of upholding her fame and with the wish that Amma's government should deliver more pro-people initiatives and serve them," she said.
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She exhorted party workers to distribute welfare to the poor, conduct mass feeding, install bedecked portraits of the late Chief Minister for public view and pay rich tributes to her.
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"In the past, we had extended our birthday greetings to Amma. This year, with her memories in mind, we should vow to serve the people well through our government," Sasikala said.
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She said Jayalalithaa was never cowed down by challenges and overcame them with grit and acumen and therefore had set herself as an example for party workers to face problems.
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"Overcoming the present difficulties faced by the party with the same grit is the gratitude we can show her," Sasikala further said.