Deepa opposes Sasikala as CM; rejects Dr's view on Jaya's death

 Joining the anti-Sasikala voices, late J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar today said people never wanted the present AIADMK General Secretary to become the Chief Minister, even as she dismissed the doctors' explanation that there was no controversy over her aunt's death.

"It is a very sad day for Tamil Nadu, people never wanted it, it is not the person people voted for, I think everybody knows that," she told reporters here on being asked about the prospect of Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister.

"Ask the people, ask their opinion... it is my opinion, people have lot of expectations, it will not be easy to fulfil their expectations, a kind of instability will continue," she said.

Replying to a question on suspicions raised by some quarters over Jayalalithaa's death and the doctors quelling the rumours yesterday, Deepa said the claims of the doctors cannot be accepted.

"I have been raising my voice about the mysterious surroundings. No explanation was given about treatment procedures, this cannot be accepted," she said referring to yesterday's press conference here by a team of doctors, including UK-based intensivist Richard Beale, who had treated Jayalalithaa.

Deepa said questions such as why Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital, the kinds of treatments given, why it was given and who authorised it, should be answered.

"Who gave the authorisation (for treatment)? I have been asking explanation from the beginning on the kind of treatment given...I am not asking it all of a sudden," Deepa, who had then alleged she was not allowed to meet her aunt, said.

Deepa, who had come out in the public space since Jayalalithaa's demise in December, had last month indicated that she would take the political plunge. She had, however, refrained from explicitly opposing Sasikala.

On January 17, Deepa, in reply to a question whether she concurred with the allegation that AIADMK had been "taken over" by Sasikala and her family, had said, "That is the view of a larger section of people today. But this is not my view."

Her media interaction today came amid opposition by some senior leaders, including former assembly Speaker P H Pandian, to Sasikala's takeover as Chief Minister. On the expected Supreme Court verdict on the assets case against Sasikala, she said, "I cannnot say but justice should be done."

Beale, Balaji and Babu Abraham had yesterday ruled out poisoning as the cause of Jayalalithaa's death and had asserted that there was no conspiracy or mystery in either the treatment or what led to her end.

On Balaji stating that the hospital had given a bill of Rs 5 to Rs 5.5 crore to Jayalalithaa's family, Deepa said, "No one spoke to me."

She reiterated that she will make a formal declaration of her political plans on Feb 24, the birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa, as a tribute to her aunt whose ideals and policies she would follow.

Deepa alleged she was facing several obstacles in getting permission from authorities to hold meetings with her supporters.

Asked if she would join hands with rebel AIADMK leaders like Pandian, she said, "I have been declining it, I am not in touch with anybody, I have nothing to say."
On questions related to Jayalalithaa's properties and whether she would stake a claim, she said, "My primary concern is about the people, and the state."