Expelled AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala has announced plans to launch a new political party, just two months ahead of Tamil Nadu’s upcoming assembly elections, sending ripples through the state's political landscape.
"We are going to witness a new political chapter," Sasikala declared on February 24, during an event marking the birth anniversary of the late former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
Addressing a crowd in Ramanathapuram, Sasikala revealed that her new party would focus on the common man, particularly the poor and marginalised, following the ideals of Dravidian icon C.N. Annadurai, AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran, and 'Amma' Jayalalithaa.
"I will soon announce the name of the new party, and there is no change in its vision. It will stand as a party that defeats both opponents and traitors," she said, unveiling the flag of the party. The flag features a tricolour—black on the top, white in the middle, and red at the bottom—along with images of Annadurai, MGR, and Jayalalithaa.
“I’ve been in politics for 39 years, and I’ve waited for nine years. This moment belongs to everyone—from grassroots members to the entire state. That’s why the flag bears the images of these three leaders. It’s a symbol of hope for the poor," Sasikala said.
With assembly elections scheduled for April-May, the entry of Sasikala’s new party could turn the contest into a four-cornered battle. Actor Vijay’s earlier launch of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had already made it a three-way contest, breaking the traditional dominance of the two Dravidian giants—the DMK and AIADMK.
The DMK leads the Secular Progressive Alliance, which recently got a shot in the arm with the inclusion of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founded by the late actor Vijayakanth. Meanwhile, AIADMK is aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), having formed a tie-up with the BJP.
Announcing her new party, Sasikala launched a scathing attack on both the DMK and AIADMK, signaling her refusal to align with either of their fronts. She described the DMK as an "evil force" and vowed to dislodge it from power.
Taking potshots at AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami, Sasikala claimed that she had made him chief minister after Jayalalithaa’s death to ensure stability in the party. "The very same person got me eased out of the party just like flinging a piece of paper. I do not display my anger and I learnt it from Thalaivar (MGR)," she said.
An influential leader from the Thevar community, Sasikala was imprisoned in Bengaluru from 2017 to 2021 after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case and is currently barred from contesting elections until 2027. During her imprisonment, Palaniswami expelled her from the party after reconciling with O. Panneerselvam, who had led a rebellion following the demise of Jayalalithaa.
Neither the DMK nor the AIADMK has officially responded to Sasikala's plan to launch a new party. However, AIADMK Deputy Secretary for Propaganda, Gautami Tadimalla, warned that Sasikala's move could have political consequences for the upcoming elections.
"This decision might impact the election results, but it will depend on the steps she takes and how she moves forward. Regardless, the AIADMK-led NDA coalition will achieve a resounding victory in the upcoming elections," Tadimalla said.
Another AIADMK leader, Abhishek, accused the DMK of backing Sasikala’s new venture. "DMK is supporting Sasikala to launch a new party, just two months before the elections. I believe Sasikala, OPS, and others have been backstabbing Edappadi Palaniswami and AIADMK," he told ANI.