Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa floats her forum, to contest from R.K.Nagar

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Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa floats her forum, to contest from R.K.Nagar
Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa floats her forum, to contest from R.K.Nagar

Chennai : Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa on Friday announced the formation of her forum MGR Amma Deepa Peravai and her decision to contest from the R.K.Nagar constituency here

Unveiling the forum's flag and the name, Deepa said the main goal is to retrieve the ruling party AIADMK's two leaves symbol and continue Jayalalithaa's work.

"The cadres of AIADMK are with me," she told reporters here.

Deepa categorically said she would contest from the R.K.Nagar constituency from where Jayalalithaa was elected and now vacant due to the latter's death on December 5, 2016.

Terming her political journey has started, Deepa said her forum would also contest the local body polls.

Queried about her meeting former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam who had revolted against AIADMK General Secretary V.K.Sasikala, she said it was a courtesy call and not a decision to work together.

Deepa termed her brother Deepak Jayakumar's interview to some television channels voicing opposition to AIADMK's Deputy General Secretary T.T.V.Dinakaran as unclear, wondering why her brother has suddenly come out against Dinakaran but continue to support Sasikala.

Some time back Deepa had said she would announce her public life plans on February 24, the birthday of Jayalalithaa.

The 69th birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa turned out to be a battle day between the two factions in the ruling AIADMK - of Panneerselvam and Chief Minister K.Palaniswami - and Deepa also entering the fray.

Panneerselvam addressed the people at R.K.Nagar and said he would take back the AIADMK party from the Sasikala family.

On the other hand Chief Minister Palaniswami planted a sapling here to mark Jayalalithaa's 69th birth anniversary.

The sapling was planted at the Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital.

According to an official statement, the state has initiated a programme of planting 69 lakh saplings across Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 65.85 crore.

This has been done to increase the green cover within and outside government premises, the statement added.

At the headquarters of the ruling AIADMK, party leaders paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa's picture.