Chennai: Senior leaders of the AIADMK, including Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, visited Poes Garden here to convince Sasikala to take up the mantle of the party leadership. It may be recalled that yesterday former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s longtime aide Sasikala was urged to assume the post by party leaders, asserting that she alone will now be able to lead the AIADMK.

A plea urging her to step into the shoes of Jayalalithaa was made by a delegation of leaders, including AIADMK Presidium Chairman E Madhusudanan and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, yesterday when they called on Sasikala or ‘Chinnamma’ as she is referred to by party workers.

Sasikala had been a close aide of Jayalalithaa for three decades and has always been seen as a power centre in the party. A host of State Ministers, including Dindigul C Srinivasan and Electricity Minister P Thangamani, expressed similar sentiments in interviews to a TV news channel.

Meanwhile in a press statement here today, Thambidurai said, “Jayalalithaa was of the firm belief that she was for the people and because of the people. Following the footsteps of MGR, Jayalalithaa dedicated herself for the upliftment of minorities, women, oppressed and fought for social justice. At a time when is she is no more, it is Chinnamma who has the strength and ability to work for welfare of the people, the State and the party,” he said.

Having stood by Amma during her trials and tribulations, Chinnamma has all the leadership qualities to guide the party, he added. Urging Sasikala to accept their request to lead the party, he said, “It would fulfill the aspiration of crores and crores of party men, including me.”