Sasikala’s new party AIPTMMK ready for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry polls, eyes strategic alliances

CHENNAI: Nearly three weeks after unveiling her party flag, former AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala on Friday announced the name of her new outfit — All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK) — and its symbol, ‘Thennathoppu’ (coconut grove). She said the party symbol indicates “unity” and that the party would function like a “joint family”. She also said the outfit would field candidates in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the upcoming assembly polls.

“I am in a situation similar to that of our leader (M G Ramachandran), who once joined a party started by a cadre,” Sasikala said, referring to her decision to associate herself with a party launched by one of her supporters.





She unveiled the party flag at Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district on late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary. The flag features black, white and red colours, with portraits of former chief ministers C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa at the centre.

“We will field candidates in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on the Thennathoppu symbol. It is a symbol of the people and represents unity. The party will function like a joint family,” she told reporters at her residence in Poes Garden, where supporters had gathered.

She added that the party would seek alliances with like-minded parties for the upcoming assembly elections.