Sasikala removed as AIPTMMK general secretary? Chakravarthy announces move over inactivity

V K Sasikala’s latest political chapter has run into a fresh setback. Chakravarthy, founder of the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK), announced on Wednesday that he had decided to remove the former AIADMK leader as the party’s general secretary, citing her absence from organisational activities after the elections.

Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, Chakravarthy said Sasikala had not been involved in party work since the polls and that he had been unable to meet her. He said he had informed the Election Commission of the decision and that the matter would be formally taken up at the party’s general council meeting in February.

According to reports, Chakravarthy also said a new general secretary would be appointed to lead the party’s activities. The announcement comes months after Sasikala joined the organisation and took on its top leadership role.

Why has Chakravarthy moved to remove Sasikala?

Chakravarthy said the decision followed consultations with party functionaries and was prompted by what he described as Sasikala’s lack of involvement after the elections. He also said he had been unable to meet her despite efforts to establish contact.

He has written to the Election Commission about the move, according to reports. However, his announcement distinguishes the decision to remove her from the formal process expected at the general council meeting in February. The party’s next steps, including the appointment of a successor, remain to be seen.

The reports reviewed for this story did not carry a response from Sasikala to Chakravarthy’s announcement.

How did Sasikala become AIPTMMK general secretary?

Sasikala, a longtime confidante of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, joined AIPTMMK in March 2026, ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party had been founded by Chakravarthy in 2016. Sasikala said she would lead the organisation, which adopted the name All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and the election symbol ‘Thennathoppu’, or coconut grove.

The party’s flag features black, white and red colours, along with portraits of C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. Sasikala presented the organisation as following the Dravidian political tradition associated with these leaders.

Her move came after her political separation from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), from which she was expelled in 2017 following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case. The conviction also prevented her from contesting elections during the applicable disqualification period.

What happens next for AIPTMMK?

Chakravarthy said the party would continue its political activities and appoint a new general secretary. He also announced that two resolutions had been adopted criticising the Tamil Nadu government and the current administration.

The leadership dispute places AIPTMMK at another organisational turning point after its election campaign. Whether the proposed removal is formally ratified in February, and who takes over the general secretary’s role, will determine the party’s immediate direction.

For now, the announcement is Chakravarthy’s stated decision, with the formal party process still to follow.

(With inputs from ANI)