Chennai: AIADMK leaders and cadres are competing with one another in pleading with Sasikala Natarjan to take over the party, but so far the long-time companion of over three decades of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has maintained a silence on whether she wants to take charge of the party.

Party leaders and members are requesting her to take over the mantle of the party, said AIADMK spokesperson C Ponnaiyan. But she has not yet given any indication about being in contention for the party post, he said.

There is unanimity among party leaders that Sasikala should be the one who can take forward Amma’s legacy and take up the post Amma held till her passing away on December 5 after prolonged illness. The AIADMK is soon to elect a new general secretary at its general council meeting likely to be held soon.

The rules can be changed if Sasikala gave her consent to head the party, party sources said. Some two years ago, Jayalalithaa had removed Sasikala from the party’s primary membership. However, she was later taken back.

AIADMK sources say they were confident that Sasikala will come out unscathed in the wealth case pending in the Supreme Court.