Sasikala's estranged brother Dhivakaran launches 'Anna Dravidar Kazhagam' political party
What's the story
The estranged brother of deposed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, V Dhivakaran, today launched his political party "Anna Dravidar Kazhagam", named after Dravidian veteran CN Annadurai in Tamil Nadu's Mannargudi. It's the second such outfit from the extended family. Earlier, Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran, the legislator from RK Nagar in Chennai, floated Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) party after being sidelined from the ruling AIADMK.
Flag
Dhivakaran also launches party flag with red, black stripes
Dhivakaran, who has fallen out of favor with Sasikala following his public spat with their nephew Dhinakaran, also introduced his party flag with red and black stripes, with an added green star in the center. Incidentally, green is considered a favorite color of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who headed the AIADMK in December 2016. Dhivakaran would be the ADK's party's General Secretary.
Prison term
Sasikala serves prison in Rs. 66.6cr disproportionate assets case
Sasikala, serving a prison term in Bengaluru in connection with Rs. 66.6cr disproportionate assets case, had last month served a legal notice on Dhivakaran, asking him to desist from taking her name in his public utterances. She had then charged her sibling with speaking in support of AIADMK leaders, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, who have fallen out with her.
Blackmail politics
Sasikala issued legal notice to brother; Dhivakaran says 'blackmail politics'
Sasikala had issued the notice to Dhivakaran in the wake of his tussle with Dhinakaran coming to the fore. Dhivakaran, however, dubbed the notice as another instance of "blackmail politics" by his nephew Dhinakaran and said he would henceforth not address Sasikala as his sister. He had then said as per the notice she had become his "former sister".