Home > Topics > Sasikala Natarajan

Sasikala

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.

I-T Department Attaches Sasikala’s Properties Worth Rs 1,600 Crores Under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act
India.com News Desk | November 5, 2019 11:23 PM IST
New Delhi: In a major development, the Income-Tax department on Tuesday attached benami properties w...
I-T Department Attaches Sasikala’s Properties Worth Rs 1,600 Crores Under Benami Transactions (Prohibition)
indiacom
2019-11-05T12:23:41+00:00
2019-11-05T12:23:41+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Two Leaves Symbol Case: Delhi High Court Stays Proceedings Against TTV Dhinakaran in Patiala House Court
India.com News Desk | March 8, 2019 1:43 PM IST
Chennai: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim relief to AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran by stayi...
Two Leaves Symbol Case: Delhi High Court Stays Proceedings Against TTV Dhinakaran in Patiala House Court
indiacom
2019-03-08T02:43:41+00:00
2019-03-08T02:43:41+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Confusion over Lankan woman's entry into Sabarimala
PTI Feeds | January 4, 2019 12:36 PM IST
Sabarimala (Ker), Jan 4 (PTI) Confusion prevailed over the entry of a 46-year old Sri Lankan Tamil w...
Confusion over Lankan woman's entry into Sabarimala
indiacom
2019-01-04T01:36:08+00:00
2019-01-04T01:36:08+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
IT officials question Sasikala at prison in DA case
PTI Feeds | December 13, 2018 8:28 PM IST
Bengaluru, Dec 13 (PTI) Income Tax officials Thursdayquestioned former AIADMK leader V K Sasikala at...
IT officials question Sasikala at prison in DA case
indiacom
2018-12-13T09:28:28+00:00
2018-12-13T09:28:28+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Madras HC quashes lower court order for Sasikala's production
PTI Feeds | December 10, 2018 9:54 PM IST
Chennai, Dec 10 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Monday set aside a lower court order directing Karnat...
Madras HC quashes lower court order for Sasikala's production
indiacom
2018-12-10T10:54:15+00:00
2018-12-10T10:54:15+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
FERA violations: TN court orders Bengaluru jail to produce Sasikala on Dec 13
PTI Feeds | December 8, 2018 9:01 PM IST
Chennai, Dec 8 (PTI) A court here has issued a warrant to a Bengaluru jail to produce V K Sasikala o...
FERA violations: TN court orders Bengaluru jail to produce Sasikala on Dec 13
indiacom
2018-12-08T10:01:15+00:00
2018-12-08T10:01:15+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sabarimala Temple Row: Devotees Begin Trek to Lord Ayyappa Shrine Amid Shutdown in Kerala
India.com News Desk | November 17, 2018 11:22 AM IST
New Delhi: While Kerala is in the eye of the storm over the entry of women in Sabarimala temple, Lor...
Sabarimala Temple Row: Devotees Begin Trek to Lord Ayyappa Shrine Amid Shutdown in Kerala
indiacom
2018-11-17T00:22:25+00:00
2018-11-17T00:24:33+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
AIADMK's TV channel 'News J' launched to take on rivals
PTI Feeds | November 15, 2018 12:15 AM IST
Chennai, Nov 14 (PTI) The ruling AIADMK's Tamil TV channel "News J" was launched Wednesday, to take ...
AIADMK's TV channel 'News J' launched to take on rivals
indiacom
2018-11-14T13:15:43+00:00
2018-11-14T13:15:43+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Upcoming Biopics in Bollywood on Controversial Public Figures
Kritika Vaid | August 7, 2018 10:50 PM IST
The latest trend in Bollywood is the race of making a successful biopic. In the last few years, Boll...
Upcoming Biopics in Bollywood on Controversial Public Figures
indiacom
2018-08-07T11:50:51+00:00
2018-08-07T11:50:51+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Jayalalithaa Death: Personal Doctor of Former Tamil Nadu CM Claims Phone Call From Sasikala, Who Makes no Mention of it
India.com News Desk | June 4, 2018 4:27 PM IST
Chennai, Jun 4: In a new disclosure in the death case of J Jayalalithaa , personal doctor of former ...
Jayalalithaa Death: Personal Doctor of Former Tamil Nadu CM Claims Phone Call From Sasikala, Who Makes no Men
indiacom
2018-06-04T05:27:50+00:00
2018-06-04T05:31:58+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
TN Minister, Dhinkaran spar over closure of liquor outlets
PTI Feeds | June 1, 2018 8:16 PM IST
Chennai, Jun 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu assembly today witnessed a sharp exchange of words between Minister ...
TN Minister, Dhinkaran spar over closure of liquor outlets
indiacom
2018-06-01T09:16:40+00:00
2018-06-01T09:16:40+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Sasikala issues legal notice to brother asking not to use her name, photo
ANI Feeds | May 11, 2018 10:29 PM IST
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 11 (ANI): Convicted All India Anna Dravida Munerta Kazhagam (AIADM...
Sasikala issues legal notice to brother asking not to use her name, photo
indiacom
2018-05-11T11:29:11+00:00
2018-05-11T11:29:11+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
D Roopa Moudgil Praises Bharatiya Janata Party MP Subramanian Swamy, Says His Activism Should Inspire Enemies
India.com News Desk | May 6, 2018 11:12 AM IST
New Delhi, May 6: D Roopa Moudgil, a senior police officer on Twitter praised a Bharatiya Janata Par...
D Roopa Moudgil Praises Bharatiya Janata Party MP Subramanian Swamy, Says His Activism Should Inspire Enemies
indiacom
2018-05-06T00:12:58+00:00
2018-05-06T00:54:03+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Indian Police Foundation Urges Citizens to Tweet Picture of Cops Breaking Protocols
India.com News Desk | May 1, 2018 11:55 PM IST
New Delhi, May 1: The Indian Police Foundation, which is tied to the central government, urged the c...
Indian Police Foundation Urges Citizens to Tweet Picture of Cops Breaking Protocols
indiacom
2018-05-01T12:55:00+00:00
2018-05-01T12:55:00+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
HC throws out DMK petition for disqualification of 11 AIADMK lawmakers
PTI Feeds | April 27, 2018 8:25 PM IST
Chennai, Apr 27 (PTI) The Madras High Court today dismissed a petition by the opposition DMK seeking...
HC throws out DMK petition for disqualification of 11 AIADMK lawmakers
indiacom
2018-04-27T09:25:41+00:00
2018-04-27T09:25:41+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Jayalalithaa Refused to go to Hospital After Collapsing in Washroom, VK Sasikala Tells Panel Probing Former Tamil Nadu CM's death
India.com News Desk | March 21, 2018 11:53 AM IST
New Delhi, March 21: There is a new disclosure in the death case of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister...
Jayalalithaa Refused to go to Hospital After Collapsing in Washroom, VK Sasikala Tells Panel Probing Former T
indiacom
2018-03-21T00:53:45+00:00
2018-03-22T05:14:34+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Jayalalithaa denied going to hospital: Sasikala to Commission
ANI Feeds | March 21, 2018 10:23 PM IST
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Mar. 21 (ANI): Jailed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK...
Jayalalithaa denied going to hospital: Sasikala to Commission
indiacom
2018-03-21T11:23:23+00:00
2018-03-21T11:23:23+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Mortal remains of Sasikala's husband brought to Thanjavur
ANI Feeds | March 20, 2018 11:56 PM IST
Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) [India], Mar 20 (ANI): The mortal remains of convicted All India Anna Dravida...
Mortal remains of Sasikala's husband brought to Thanjavur
indiacom
2018-03-20T12:56:07+00:00
2018-03-20T12:56:07+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
VK Sasikala Walks Out of Bengaluru Jail on Getting 15-Day Parole After Husband Natarajan Maruthappa's Death
India.com News Desk | March 20, 2018 2:02 PM IST
Bengaluru, Mar 20: Jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala on Tuesday walked out of Bengaluru's Parappana A...
VK Sasikala Walks Out of Bengaluru Jail on Getting 15-Day Parole After Husband Natarajan Maruthappa's Death
indiacom
2018-03-20T03:02:32+00:00
2018-03-20T03:02:32+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com
Jailed AIADMK Leader VK Sasikala's Husband Dies in Chennai
India.com News Desk | March 20, 2018 6:39 AM IST
New Delhi, Mar 20: Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's husband M Natarajan passed away on Tuesday i...
Jailed AIADMK Leader VK Sasikala's Husband Dies in Chennai
indiacom
2018-03-19T19:39:19+00:00
2018-03-19T20:00:09+00:00
Sasikala Natarajan
India.com