Almost all news channels started buzzing with the headlines: Sasikala Natarajan is the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as O Paneerselvam has resigned from the post because he is her 'loyal brother'.  Only a few months since the demise of J Jayalalithaa, the arrival of Chinnamma, Sasikala as the new Chief Minister has been a big surprise for the political fraternity of the country.  The sudden decision seems to be a well thought out plan as UK based Dr Richard Beale, who looked after ailing Jayalalithaa in her last days. categorically clarified that she died on December 5 last year due to multi organ failure. The hush hush tone of the doctor and

Sasikala making her smooth debut of the throne hasn't be appreciated from all quarters of Tamil Nadu. There has been discussion all over whether Sasikala was too insecure about her own future or Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar is a constant threat to her political importance in the absence of Amma. In a nutshell, the whole focus of Tamil Nadu is focused on Sasikala and the internal politics of AIADMK.

The name Sasikala is not a new one in Indian political domain.  Seasoned politicians can certainly remember her name as the close aide of Jayalalithaa who has been the supposed co-culprit in many of the cases of corruptions charged against Jayalalithha in the last two and half decades.  Sasikala got introduced to Jayalalithaa in the early 1980's when Jaya was stepping in the world of politics, under the patronage of ailing MGR. Sasikala's husband R Natarajan was hired as PRO to IAS Officer VS Chandralekha, who later joined politics. Mannargudi based Sasikala then got introduced to Jayalalithaa and the rest is history as people say. With time Sasikala became Jaya's confidante. It is also said that 'this' Sasikala was once compelled to run a video recording business when her husband lost his job. From video renting business to becoming the chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the political escalation of Sasikala is indeed jaw dropping.

In all these years, amidst all those instances of political tussles between DMK and AIADMK, Sasikala's name has come up in ample cases of corruption. No one can forget the lavish wedding  of Sasikala's nephew Sudhakaran  and Sathya Lakshmi, the granddaughter of Shivaji Ganeshan in which 10 dining halls each having a capacity of 25,00 people were booked. Incidentally Jayalalithaa adopted Sasikala's nephew Sudhakaran. In 1996, when AIADMK lost in the Assembly Elections, Sasikala was arrested by the DMK Government for violating the FERA Act (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act). Although for the time being Jayalalithaa distanced herself from Sasikala, they reunited soon after Sasikala's release. The Tansi land scam where Jaya Publications and Sasi Enterprises bought the 3.78 acre land in Chennai Guindy industrial estate didn't help Jayalalithaa and Sasikala in the public sphere. Although Jayalalithaa was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2003, the whole scam did not end their political careers.

On 19^th December, 2011 Sasikala was expelled by Jayalalithaa herself along with 12 other relatives including Sasikala's husband. After three months, they were inducted in AIADMK and even granted a membership in the general council. Ever since 1991, whenever Jayalalithaa was in power, Sasikala and her infamous 'Mannargudi Mafia' had been very strong.  The influence of Sasikala on Jayalalithaa was such that all maids, cooks, securitymen, drivers were hired from Sasikala's hometown Mannargudi. Many leaders later complained that Mannargudi Mafia has  major say in every decision on part of Jayalalithaa's AIADMK government.  When Jayalalithaa became CM in 2011, there was an insider-attempt to make Sasikala the Chief Minister as the Mannargudi calculation largely wanted to utilize the situation when Jayalalithaa was on the verge of losing her post due to verdict in asset disproportionate case. On December 17, 2011 the Mannargudi clan was asked to pack up and Sasikala had no other option. On March 2012, Sasikala was again inducted in AIADMK with Jayalalithaa's approval. It will always remain a mystery as why did Jayalalithaa change her mind and induct her again in the AIADMK power centre.

Whether Sasikala Natarajan would be a good Chief Minister or   not is a tough question. She will make sure to milk the 'Chinnamma' emotions in her own favour. In Tamil Nadu, where family legacy and individual charisma plays a pivotal part in state politics, Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar will always be a threat to the political future of Chief Minister Sasikala Natarajan.