"Will Come And Set AIADMK Straight": VK Sasikala In Purported Audio Clip

VK Sasikala was released from jail in January after serving a four-year term.

VK Sasikala, the ousted chief of Tamil Nadu's AIADMK, was heard in a purported audio clip, saying that she will "come soon and set the party straight". The latest clip emerged a day after the opposition party sacked 15 people she spoke with recently.

"Other elections are coming up. We've to win and protect Jayalalithaa's legacy. I am pained that party workers are expelled when we are in opposition," she is reportedly heard saying.

"I have a responsibility. I am confident that I'd be able to set the party straight. My wish is that the AIADMK should be strong even if it turns 100 years. We would definitely bring Amma (Jayalalithaa) rule. I will meet all of you soon."

The AIADMK on Monday sacked 15 functionaries including its spokesperson, Pugalendhi, for "anti-party activities" and "bringing disrepute". Many of the expelled members had spoken with Sasikala on the phone recently.

Clips of telephonic conversations between Sasikala and some of her supporters were shared widely on social media last month. The conversations gave mixed signals about her political plans, months after her release from jail and the AIADMK's defeat in the Tamil Nadu assembly election.

Pugalendhi had allegedly spoken about O Panneerselvam joining hands with Sasikala.

The party cracked the whip on the members after MLAs passed a resolution, demanding action. Slamming Sasikala, AIADMK MLAs had sought action against those who spoke with her on the phone.

In one such conversation, which her team confirmed that it's her voice, she is heard telling a supporter, "Don't worry. Be courageous. I will come after the pandemic is over." The party worker is heard responding, "We are with you, Amma."

Former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is the AIADMK's number two, dismissed it as Sasikala's chat with an AMMK worker and nothing to do with AIADMK workers. However, in another conversation, Sasikala is heard talking to a reported AIADMK worker in which she tacitly targeted Mr Palaniswami.

In another audio clip that has emerged today, Sasikala is purportedly heard telling a party member that Mr Panneerselvam resigned from the post of Chief Minister on his own and that he was her choice for the top post.

Though Mr Panneerselvam was made to resign, Sasikala can be heard claiming: "That time, he resigned on his own. Otherwise he was my choice and I would have made him only sit. I hear from many that the party is going on caste lines," she reportedly says in Tamil, hitting out at Mr Palaniswami without naming him.

"I am sad that they've taken the party to this level. All would know what would happen if this continues. Even now, the party could have come up but there was no cooperation from the other side."

Sasikala, who was released from jail in January after serving a four-year term following her conviction in a disproportionate assets case in which former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was the main accused, can't contest polls for six years.