Sasikala Pushpa
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The Times of India, 29 Dec, 2016
The other Sasikala: 10 important facts about Sasikala Pushpa
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in December 2016 passed a unanimous resolution to work under the leadership of V K Sasikala, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's friend and confidante. But there's another Sasikala - expelled AIADMK member and Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa - who's been in the news for opposing the effort to appoint V K Sasikala to the post that Jayalalithaa once held.
1.
Fomer Tuticorin Mayor
Sasikala Pushpa is from Mudalur near Sathankulam in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district. She's a former Mayor of Tuticorin city. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2014.
2.
Expelled from party
On August 1, 2016, Sasikala was expelled from the AIADMK by then-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and party general secretary Jayalalithaa, after she allegedly slapped Trichy Siva, a MP from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
3.
'Forced to resign'
A couple of days later, she alleged in the Parliament that some forces within the AIADMK were threatening her, and that she was being forced to resign.
4.
Rajya Sabha member
However, she continues to be an member of the Rajya Sabha.
5.
CBI probe or judicial investigation sought
After the demise of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala moved the Supreme Court earlier this month seeking a CBI probe or a judicial investigation on the former Tamil Nadu CM's death. In her petition, she alleged that Jayalalithaa's death was "suspicious" as her actual medical condition was not disclosed, no one was allowed to visit her, her funeral photographs showed embalming marks and everything from her hospitalisation to her death "was kept under wraps".
6.
Madras High Court moved
In an attempt to prevent V K Sasikala from taking over as AIADMK chief, Sasikala Pushpa moved the Madras High Court earlier this month, saying the general council of the party should be restrained from choosing the general secretary of the party. The court reserved its order.
7.
Sasikala Pushpa explains her stand
Sasikala Pushpa told TOI that VK Sasikala can't be general secretary becuse "as per the party bylaws because she has not been a primary member for five years continuously. She was expelled in 2011 and reinstated in 2012."
8.
V K Sasikala wanted to usurp the party, Sasikala Pushpa alleged
Even when Jayalalithaa was hospitalised, Sasikala Pushpa had alleged that V K Sasikala was trying to usurp the ruling AIADMK and the government. She recalled how Jayalalithaa had expelled V K Sasikala and several close relatives of hers (including her husband M Natarajan) in 2011 from the primary membership of the party for their "treacherous acts."
9.
Sasikala's husband beaten by AIADMK party cadre
When Sasikala Pushpa's husband Lingeswara Thilagan, and others (including their lawyers) arrived at AIADMK party headquarters to submit nomination papers for the post of party general secretary, AIADMK party cadre beat them badly. They were there to submit papers on behalf of Sasikala Pushpa, Thilagan, and K S Mani, a general council member from Mumbai,the Rajya Sabha MP said.
They were taken away by police, and Sasikala later said: "I don't know where my husband and the others have been taken. They were bleeding profusely and I have every reason to believe that the goondas of Sasikala Natarajan (V K Sasikala) are behind this."
10.
Thilagan hospitalised
Later in the evening, police took Thilagan to a government hospital in Royapettah for treatment. Based on his complaint, the Royapettah police registered a case against the attackers. Three cases were registered against Thilagan and he was released on bail today by police
