Rebel film actress and former MP Vijayashanti’s all-out support to Sasikala Natarajan as the true political successor of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa giving scope for speculations that she is looking for active political role once again.
Reminding that she extended her support to Jaya, in most difficult times, she asserted that Shashikala is having all the strength to lead AIADMK. After Congress ditched her in 2014 polls without re-nominating her for Medak Lok Sabha seat, she was practically keeping away from political limelight.
She may be the first non-AIADMK leader, who said with firm voice endorsing Sasikala’s succession and attacked allegation of `improper medical care’ to Jayalalithaa was in hospital, she asked whether DMK releasing its chief Karunanidhi photo, who is now in a hospital. “It would be embarrassing situation to release photo of a women on the hospital bed”, she added.
By asserting her proximity with AIADMK establishment in Chennai, she seems to be looking to reach BJP. As BJP is making efforts to cultivate cordial relations with Sasikala as the party badly needed AIADMK’s 50 MPs support in Parliament, she is likely to make use this scenario to re-establish her access to BJP.
Vijayashanti started her political career by joining BJP when Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and she was also made as Vice President of BJP’s Mahila Morcha at national level. She used to enjoy warm relationship with both Prime Minister Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. She had also campaigned for BJP in AP, Tamil Nadu and other places.
In this regard, she also remembered that her first closeness with Jayalalithaa was in 1989 when she went Tamil Nadu for campaigning as a BJP leader. At that time AIADMK was in alliance with BJP
BJP, which is making Hercules efforts is badly needed of leaders, who can appeal masses. Except B S Yeddyurappa in Karnataka, the BJP has no mass leader in the entire south. As a film artist, she is popular in all southern states. She is still enjoying lot of clout among several BJP leaders, which may help her to find a meeting point with BJP leadership.
