It is like rags to riches story for Sasikala Natarajan, who is the third chief minister. Little is known about her early life except that she is from Mannargudi and is from the powerful Thevar community. In 1975, she married Chennai-based M Natarajan, an assistant public relations officer.

Sasikala’s relationship with Jaya has seen ups and downs. In the early eighties, Sasikala ran a video parlour. The then Cuddalore district collector, V S Chandralekha, introduced her to Jayalalithaa whom MGR who had appointed as his party's propaganda secretary. After MGR's death in 1987, when Jayalalithaa was fighting for her political legacy, Sasikala stood by her in her good times and bad times. When Jaya was in power Sasikala would be present at most meetings with the visiting dignitaries, serve them food, take calls on projects and attend Jayalalithaa’s meetings with the ministers and party men. She also controlled the access to Jayalalithaa even when she was in the hospital fighting for her life in December 2016. There were only two occasions Jayalalithaa threw her out from her Poes Garden residence only to get her back after a few weeks. The first was after Jayalalithaa’s defeat in the Assembly polls in 1996 when the party blamed Sasikala for the defeat.

The second was on 17 December 2011, Jayalalithaa asked the ‘Mannargudi clan’ to pack up and leave her house. Sasikala was expelled from party only to come back in March 2012 after issuing a public apology. But Jayalalithaa never gave her any position in the party or the government or suggested at any time that Sasikala was her political heir.

A controversial figure, Sasikala will be wearing a crown of thorns, as she has to face many challenges. The first is to prove her legitimacy. After all, she has no claim as the people of Tamil Nadu did not vote for her or trust her. She has to win their hearts by her work. The second is that she needs an image makeover as people see her as a scheming woman although the party has trusted her

The third is that many fear Sasikala’s regime could be a rule of the so -called Mannargudi mafia. Jaya has kept her family including her husband Natarajan out all these years. After Jaya’s demise, all of them have come back.

The fourth is to keep the party united. As of now the party is behind her for the simple reason no one wants to face another election with four more years to go. The other political parties like the DMK, BJP and the Congress are playing a ‘wait and watch’ game, as they want the party to break on its own. As of now there may not be any rebels but one cannot rule it out in the next few months. The first test will come when the party faces the local body polls later this year.

The fifth is the challenge from the opposition parties and facing the Assembly. The DMK is looking for an opportunity to strike and has already voiced discontent at the choice of Sasikala as chief minister. She is seen as a novice with no qualification, no political or administrative or electoral experience. Apart from the DMK, the other parties are also sharpening their knives. The sixth is dealing with the Centre. In a federal setup, a good working relationship with Delhi is important for Chennai. While Jaya and Prime Minister Modi were on good terms, New Delhi is not very happy with Sasikala’s choice as it was settling down to deal comfortably with O. Panneerselvam. The seventh is that the FERA case and the Disproportionate Assets are hanging over her head like Damocles sword. If she is freed well and good or else she may have to bow out.

The eight is the challenge from Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar, who has emerged from nowhere after Jaya’s death. After all she is from Jaya’s family and is well educated. She is being promoted by some elements opposed to Sasikala. How much she can succeed is to be seen.

So far, Sasikala has moved cautiously and has moved each pawn in her chessboard with great attention. She first became the General Secretary of the Party, which is the most powerful post. After that she waited for just two months before deposing O. Panneerselvam, whom she felt was settling down cosily for her ease. Therefore it was necessary for her to be both the party chief and the chief minister.

A leader has to have three important qualities - the first is to attract crowds, the second is to convert them into votes and the third is to sustain the popularity. Sasikala lacks all three at present. But the Jury is out as it is too soon to give a verdict but she can never be another Amma for Tamil Nadu. (IPA Service)