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.
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:
(Published 04 March 2021, 10:25 IST)