Sasikala Axed: AIPTMMK Founder Removes Her as General Secretary
AIPTMMK founder Chakravarthy removes Sasikala as General Secretary due to inactivity. Read more about the party shake-up.
In a sudden political shake-up within the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK), party founder Chakravarthy has announced the removal of Sasikala from her position as the party's general secretary. The decision comes as a significant blow to the former close aide of J Jayalalithaa, who has seen her political influence shift once again.
The Reason Behind the Removal
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters located in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, on Wednesday, Chakravarthy laid out the reasons for this drastic move. He stated that Sasikala, who had taken over the role of general secretary in 2026, had become completely inactive. According to the founder, she failed to engage in any party activities following the elections.
Adding to the tension, Chakravarthy revealed that he had been unable to even meet with her, leading to the conclusion that her leadership was no longer viable for the party's growth.
Formal Process and Next Steps
The removal is not just a verbal announcement; the party is moving forward with formal procedures to ensure the change is official:
- Election Commission Notified: Chakravarthy confirmed that he has already written to the Election Commission regarding the decision to remove Sasikala.
- General Council Ratification: The formal removal is expected to be officially ratified during the party's general council meeting, which is scheduled to take place in February.
- New Leadership: The party has indicated that a new general secretary will be appointed shortly to revive and carry forward its political activities.
Political Resolutions and Party Stance
Beyond the leadership crisis, Chakravarthy used the press briefing to voice the party's dissatisfaction with the current state of governance. He announced that the AIPTMMK has adopted two specific resolutions strongly condemning the Tamil Nadu government and the current administration.
The Rise and Fall of AIPTMMK
The AIPTMMK was launched by Sasikala earlier this year after her expulsion from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Her exit from the AIADMK followed her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.
Seeking to carve out her own political identity, Sasikala established the AIPTMMK with a distinct visual identity. The party adopted a coconut tree farm as its symbol and introduced a party flag featuring the colors black, white, and red, adorned with the images of political icons Anna, MGR, and Jayalalithaa.