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When J Jayalalithaa, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu passed away in December last year, there was much speculation on who could replace Amma. While Chinnamma’s (Sasikala) elevation as
the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) general secretary wasn’t without objections, the opposing faction has now found an alternative-or rather a lookalike. Amma’s niece Deepa
Jayakumar has been creating ripples in Tamil Nadu political circles, reminiscent to 1989, when AIADMK’s founder MG Ramachandran passed away. With growing support for Deepa, she deemed it
fit to announce her political plans on MGR’s 100th birth anniversary. Draped in a red saree and a shawl, many party members already compare her to the late chief minister and consider her
the wilful heir of her aunt’s political legacy. After her address to the media, it is now confirmed that Jayakumar will enter politics. “Lot of changes have happened in Tamil Nadu politics.
People, especially young people demanded that I should enter politics. I wish to protect the belief that people have placed on me”, she said in a press conference. In a direct attack on
Sasikala, she said that there could be no other leader of AIADMK, other than MGR and Jayalalitha. “I don’t accept anyone in MGR or Amma’s place”, she said. The 42-year-old hinted at two
options while stating that she was still in talks with the party cadres. “I have two options one is to join AIADMK or to float a new party, will discuss with my supporters before making a
decision”, said Deepa. Several posters around the state have already sprung up with Deepa’s face photoshopped on Amma’s pictures, deeming her as the Ilaya Puratchi Thalaivi (young
revolutionary leader) and the true heir of Amma. Deepa has now chosen February 24– Amma’s birth anniversary- as the next date for her next announcement. Will Sasikala pave way for Deepa to
become the leader of the party or will she float a new party to take her aunt’s legacy forward, we’ll know, only on February 24.