Feeling lonely in the absence of Jayalalithaa, says Sasikala

On the eve of the late J Jayalalithaa's 69th birthday, AIADMK chief V K Sasikala on Thursday said she was feeling "lonely" in the absence of her predecessor and long-time friend.

In a message to party workers, Sasikala, serving a jail term in connection with a Disproportionate Assets case, urged them to tirelessly serve the public and uphold Jayalalithaa's fame.

Sasikala said every year Jayalalithaa's birthday was celebrated with fervour, but "I never thought this year will turn out to be so challenging."

"That Amma is not with us makes me more sad. After having celebrated her birthday with her for the past 33 years, I feel lonely this year in her memories. My thoughts revolve around her," she said.

Jayalalithaa was a popular leader and anybody who had met her even once would remember her for life, she added.

Sasikala recalled that Jayalalithaa had united the party post the death of its founder M G Ramachandran in 1987, later tactfully steering it through various challenges and said the late leader was known for her "love, compassion and hardwork."

"Let the events held to mark Amma's 69th birth anniversary be done with the intention of upholding her fame and with the wish that Amma's government should deliver more pro-people initiatives and serve them," she said. She exhorted party workers to distribute welfare to the poor, conduct mass feeding, install bedecked portraits of the late Chief Minister for public view and pay rich tributes to her.