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Sasikala Natarajan

Vivekanandan Krishnaveni Sasikala better known as Sasikala Natarajan is the General Secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Born in 1957 in Thiruthuraipoondi to Vivekanandan and Krishnaveni, Sasikala belonged to the Kallar caste and her family members were DMK sympathisers. The couple had six children and Sasi, as she was lovingly called, was the fifth.

Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, Mannargudi was famous for its temples before Sasikala acquired prominence both politically and financially. Now, it is better known as the home turf of the former chief minister's aide.

Sasikala owned a video rental store in the town and its ownership brought her closer to M Natarajan who was serving as Public Relation Officer in the district administration. Stunned by her beauty, Natarajan approached her parents with the offer of marriage. The couple was married in the presence of then Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi.

After the split in DMK, she chose to stick with All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam.Fond of Tamil films, she bought the video camera to shoot political rallies to earn some extra income. She developed proximity with Jayalalitha after the demise of M G Ramachandran. Isolated and bereaved Jayalalitha too found solace in her company. The AIADMK family was warring with J Jayalalitha to claim M G Ramachandran’s legacy after his demise. Meanwhile, J Jayalalitha handed over much of party’s responsibilities to Sasikala. Sasikala was even entrusted with the duties of allocation of tickets to the candidates. However, the episode brought notoriety to Sasikala where she was alleged to have sold tickets. The fiasco became louder when AIADMK lost elections in 1996 assembly elections. Senior party leaders accused her entirely of the dismal performance. In order to keep the party united, Jayalalitha was forced to oust Sasikala from her residence and party.

She proved her farsightedness when she proposed to launch AIADMK’s own Television channel ‘Jaya TV’ to counter the influence of Sun TV owned by Maran Family. Sasikala's nephew V Bhaskaran was chosen as its MD. It later came to known as the 'Colour TV' scam wherein Jayalalithaa gave approval for buying 45,302 colour TVs which cost the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 8.3 crore. Jayalalithaa was even incarcerated in connection with the scam. Her sentence resulted in senior party leader O Panneerselvam’s elevation to the post of Chief Minister.

Her relation with Jayalalitha turned sour when Sasikala was alleged to have amassed wealth using her close connections with the Chief Minister. Her coterie was named ‘Mannargudi Mafia’ and then Janta Party leader Subramanian Swamy alleged Jayalalitha on working on behest of ‘Mannargudi Mafia’. However, Jayalalitha cracked the whip on the coterie when she ousted Sasikala out of the party. Jayalalitha was informed about a possible coup by Sasikala where she was conspiring to take over as Chief Minister once Jayalalitha is jailed for her involvement in the scam.

Known for her comebacks, she was later inducted in the party on March 30, 2012. Her comeback was ensured only after she wrote a letter snapping her all relations with relatives who were accused of Impropriety.

Declare Sasikala, Dhinakaran's posts as invalid in AIADMK: OPS camp to EC
PTI Feeds | August 11, 2017 6:16 PM IST
New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) With AIADMK (Amma) faction severing ties with TTV Dhinakaran, the party's O
Declare Sasikala, Dhinakaran's posts as invalid in AIADMK: OPS camp to EC
indiacom
2017-08-11T07:16:18+00:00
2017-08-11T07:16:18+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala VIP Treatment: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Orders High-Level Probe, Assures Strict Action Against Guilty
Rini Sharma | July 13, 2017 1:16 PM IST
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday ordered a high-level inquiry into the alleged
Sasikala VIP Treatment: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Orders High-Level Probe, Assures Strict Action Against Guil
indiacom
2017-07-13T02:16:56+00:00
2017-07-13T05:48:40+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
No VIP Treatment Given to Sasikala; DG Prison Satyanarayana Rao Rubbishes Bribery Charges
Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal | July 13, 2017 11:22 AM IST
The statement of top Karnataka jailer came after a report alleged that Sasikala bribed
No VIP Treatment Given to Sasikala; DG Prison Satyanarayana Rao Rubbishes Bribery Charges
indiacom
2017-07-13T00:22:57+00:00
2017-07-13T01:44:28+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala Paid Rs 2 Crore Bribe to Bengaluru Jail Officials For VVIP Treatment, Claims DIG
India.com News Desk | July 13, 2017 9:57 AM IST
Reports have emerged saying Sasikala allegedly paid a bribe of Rs 2 crore to prison officials for
Sasikala Paid Rs 2 Crore Bribe to Bengaluru Jail Officials For VVIP Treatment, Claims DIG
indiacom
2017-07-12T22:57:57+00:00
2017-07-12T23:40:39+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
'Sasikala to decide on party's support to NDA prez nominee'
PTI Feeds | June 20, 2017 9:43 PM IST
Reports have emerged saying Sasikala allegedly paid a bribe of Rs 2 crore to prison officials for
'Sasikala to decide on party's support to NDA prez nominee'
indiacom
2017-06-20T10:43:37+00:00
2017-06-20T10:43:37+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
E Palaniswami's AIADMK hints support to BJP in presidential polls, OPS faction to follow suit?
Ravi Kaushal | June 10, 2017 7:49 PM IST
AIADMK's wooing to Bharatiya Janta Party is also seen as the counter attack to the consolidation of
E Palaniswami's AIADMK hints support to BJP in presidential polls, OPS faction to follow suit?
indiacom
2017-06-10T08:49:14+00:00
2017-06-10T08:49:14+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Jayalalithaa birth anniversary highlights: Deepa Jayakumar announces new political outfit MGR Amma Deepa Forum
Pragati Ratti Sharma | February 24, 2017 9:37 AM IST
We get you the live updates from Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary celebrations across Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalithaa birth anniversary highlights: Deepa Jayakumar announces new political outfit MGR Amma Deepa Foru
indiacom
2017-02-23T22:37:37+00:00
2017-05-16T05:51:50+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Dinakaran bribery row: FIR holds Sukesh Chandrasekhar as another conspirator
ANI Feeds | April 18, 2017 5:20 PM IST
A day after All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary TTV Dinakaran was
Dinakaran bribery row: FIR holds Sukesh Chandrasekhar as another conspirator
indiacom
2017-04-18T06:20:32+00:00
2017-04-18T06:20:32+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala Natarjan to resign as AIADMK general secretary: Reports
Shubhang Chauhan | April 18, 2017 12:05 AM IST
Late Monday evening, 25 ministers of AIADMK held an emergency meeting in a bid to unite the divided
Sasikala Natarjan to resign as AIADMK general secretary: Reports
indiacom
2017-04-17T13:05:15+00:00
2017-04-17T13:45:20+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala's nephew Dinakaran in dock: Oppn slams 'headless' AIADMK
ANI Feeds | April 17, 2017 6:34 PM IST
Coming down heavily on the AIADMK post TTV Dinakaran's involvement in an alleged bribery row, the
Sasikala's nephew Dinakaran in dock: Oppn slams 'headless' AIADMK
indiacom
2017-04-17T07:34:30+00:00
2017-04-17T07:34:30+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran booked by Delhi crime branch for paying bribe for 'two leaves' symbol
India.com News Desk | April 17, 2017 9:10 AM IST
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has filed an FIR against AIADMK Deputy General Secretary and Sasikala
Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran booked by Delhi crime branch for paying bribe for 'two leaves' symbol
indiacom
2017-04-16T22:10:15+00:00
2017-04-17T00:37:09+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala Pushpa approaches EC against Dinakaran
PTI Feeds | April 11, 2017 6:11 PM IST
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has filed an FIR against AIADMK Deputy General Secretary and Sasikala
Sasikala Pushpa approaches EC against Dinakaran
indiacom
2017-04-11T07:11:37+00:00
2017-04-11T07:11:37+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala Pushpa approaches EC against Dinakaran
PTI Feeds | April 11, 2017 6:03 PM IST
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has filed an FIR against AIADMK Deputy General Secretary and Sasikala
Sasikala Pushpa approaches EC against Dinakaran
indiacom
2017-04-11T07:03:27+00:00
2017-04-11T07:03:27+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala Pushpa to meet EC seeking disqualification of Dinakaran, Sasikala Natarajan from contesting
ANI Feeds | April 11, 2017 10:14 AM IST
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Tuesday will be meeting Member of Parliament (MP) Rajya
Sasikala Pushpa to meet EC seeking disqualification of Dinakaran, Sasikala Natarajan from contesting
indiacom
2017-04-10T23:14:19+00:00
2017-04-10T23:14:19+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
RK Nagar bypoll cancelled: Sasikala's nephew Dinakaran opposes EC move, Chidambaram takes dig at Modi govt
Pragati Ratti Sharma | April 10, 2017 8:58 AM IST
The Election Commission's decision to cancel the RK Nagar Assembly bypoll has been opposed by the
RK Nagar bypoll cancelled: Sasikala's nephew Dinakaran opposes EC move, Chidambaram takes dig at Modi govt
indiacom
2017-04-09T21:58:39+00:00
2017-04-09T22:26:07+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
VK Sasikala flouts prison rules, gets VVIP treatment in Bengaluru jail: Report
Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal | April 6, 2017 11:18 AM IST
Though the jail authorities denied most of the demands made by Sasikala like home food, cot,
VK Sasikala flouts prison rules, gets VVIP treatment in Bengaluru jail: Report
indiacom
2017-04-06T00:18:33+00:00
2017-04-06T00:18:33+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Ahead of RK Nagar bypoll, EC asks Sasikala faction to stop using 'two leaves' symbol
Pragati Ratti Sharma | April 4, 2017 9:14 AM IST
Ahead of the Radhakrishnan Nagar bypoll on April 9, the Election Commission has asked the Sasikala
Ahead of RK Nagar bypoll, EC asks Sasikala faction to stop using 'two leaves' symbol
indiacom
2017-04-03T22:14:23+00:00
2017-04-03T22:14:23+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
RK Nagar Bypoll: Election Commission to take decision on Sasikala Natarajan vs O. Panneerselvam battle for AIADMK party symbol today
Srividhya Iyer | March 22, 2017 11:19 AM IST
The meeting will commence at 10:30 AM in Nirvachan Sadan which is the headquarters of the Election
RK Nagar Bypoll: Election Commission to take decision on Sasikala Natarajan vs O. Panneerselvam battle for AI
indiacom
2017-03-22T00:19:01+00:00
2017-03-22T00:51:08+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran to contest bypoll for RK Nagar seat left vacant after Jayalalithaa's death
Pragati Ratti Sharma | March 15, 2017 10:56 AM IST
AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala Natarajan's nephew TTV Dinakaran will contest the Radhakrishna
Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran to contest bypoll for RK Nagar seat left vacant after Jayalalithaa's death
indiacom
2017-03-14T23:56:38+00:00
2017-03-15T00:57:31+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
O Panneerselvam to meet President Pranab Mukherjee today, seek probe into Jayalalithaa's death
Srividhya Iyer | February 28, 2017 11:35 AM IST
The meeting of O Panneerselvam with President Pranab Mukherjee comes at a time when the trust vote
O Panneerselvam to meet President Pranab Mukherjee today, seek probe into Jayalalithaa's death
indiacom
2017-02-28T00:35:28+00:00
2017-02-28T00:47:32+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com