Sasikala will stay away from politics and public life

VK Sasikala, a confidante of former Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa, will "stay away from politics and public life". In a letter released Wednesday night Sasikala,  wrote: "I have never been after power or position even when Jaya was alive. Won't do that after she is dead. I am staying away from politics to ensure continuation of AIADMK's 'golden rule' in Tamil Nadu." "I will pray to God and my sister (Jayalalithaa) for AIADMK's victory  and urge supporters of AIADMK to work together and defeat the DMK, the primary opposition. I urge the party cadre to work to keep her legacy going," she added.

Hours earlier, the BJP, which said it was a part of the "AIADMK-led alliance" The ruling party AIAGMK had, so far, ruled out allowing either Sasikala or her nephew, TTV Dhinakaran and his Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) into the fold. Politically, Sasikala's call could help the AIADMK retain the support of the Thevar community, which she is from, and which is a key vote bank for the party. However, scuttling such a possibility TTV Dhinakaran said: "We will contest polls and announce our alliance and candidates soon."  Sasikala cannot contest polls for six years since she was convicted for corruption, but many see her letter as part of a larger strategy.