Timeline | The rise and fall of Sasikala in Tamil Nadu politics

The sudden announcement of Sasikala exiting politics came as a bolt out of the blue especially after her grand return from Bengaluru last month

Supporters of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader V.K. Sasikala hold a picture of her and of late AIADMK leader J. Jayalalitha (L) during a protest in front of Sasikala's residence. Credit: AFP Photo

Weeks ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala recently announced that "she will stay away from politics," but would pray for the "golden rule" of the late party supremo Jayalalithaa.

In a sort of a u-turn from her earlier statement of engaging in active politics after completion of her four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case, the close aide of Jayalalithaa also called for unity among the "true supporters" of the late leader to keep the "common enemy" DMK away from power.

Read | With Sasikala out of picture, who are the key players in Tamil Nadu Assembly polls?

The sudden announcement came as a bolt out of the blue especially after her grand return from Bengaluru last month led to expectations that she would play a big role in the run-up to the April 6 elections in which the ruling AIADMK is eyeing a record third term.

Here’s a timeline of Sasikala who was once considered a powerful confidante of Jayalalithaa: