Jayalalithaa’s Niece Deepa Jayakumar to Enter Politics

CHENNAI:
More than a month after the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, her niece Deepa Jayakumar confirmed that she would make her foray into Tamil Nadu politics.
Deepa Jayakumar announced that a landmark announcement would be made on February 24, which happens to be Jayalalithaa’s birthday. “AIADMK cadres are already welcoming me”, she said.
Jayakumar, however, denied reports of BJP extending their support to her. “There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don’t know the reality,” she said.
She refused to take on newly anointed AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan, but said that she cannot accept anyone in Jayalalithaa’s position.
She also did not disclose if she would form a new party or join any other party when she said, “So far there have been questions expressing doubts if I would enter politics or not, if I would engage in people’s work and whether I will be afraid and run away (from political arena),” she said.
“To end such things, I make it clear on this day (MGR’s birth centen
ary) that I will enter politics, do people’s work and I desire that,” she told reporters.
Earlier in the day, she paid homage to AIADMK founder MGR at his memorial at Marina beach. The party is celebrating his 100th birth anniversary.