From being a constant companion and alter ego of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa to becoming the general secretary of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, V K Sasikala has indeed arrived on the state’s political scene, but not yet completely.

Even as a section of partymen wants her to don the chief minister’s mantle, Sasikala is assessing the cadre’s mood.

An AIADMK minister said she wants to test the ‘pulse’ of the functionaries. Sasikala will hold a meeting with senior party functionaries at the headquarters between January 4 and 9. “A decision will be taken by Chinnama only after the meeting,” he said.