VK Sasikala takes charge as AIADMK general secretary of AIADMK Saturday Dec 31,2016

VK Sasikala, a close aide of the late Chief Minister and  AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, on Saturday Dec 31,2016 took charge as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary

The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder MG Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters here after she arrived in the midst of tight security.

She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa.

After assuming charge amid chants of 'Chinnamma Vazhagai' by thousands of supporters, an emotionally charged Sasikala said: “Amma is always in my heart.”

She added that she had been with Jayalalithaa for party meetings for over 33 years and that the AIADMK will continue to rule for many years.

Addressing party members, Sasikala said Annadurai, MGR and Jayalalithaa are the identities of this massive organisation.

"Other than these people nobody else will be projected in the forefront," Sasikala said.

She said MGR and Jayalaltihaa were leaders beyond caste and religious lines and the party would continue to follow their path.

Sasikala said the birth centenary of party founder MGR begins on January 17, 2017, and the party would celebrate that in a grand manner throughout the year.

She said the party would urge the central government to issue a commemorative stamp and also a currency coin with MGR`s image.

In her first public speech, Sasikala said the loss of Jayalalithaa is a personal loss for her and cannot be described in words.