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Worse, Jayalalithaa was pushed down from the hearse carrying MGRвЂ™s body. As it was put on a stretcher and taken in an ambulance, we rushed out, got in our car and followed the ambulance. We saw the body being brought down from the first floor. But MGRвЂ™s family members tried to lock her inside a room on the ground floor. We drove on, breaking it open,вЂќ recalls Sasikala. As soon as Jayalalithaa heard of his death, she rushed to his Ramavaram Gardens residence with Sasikala. MGR died in the wee hours of December 24, 1987. Their bond further strengthened after MGRвЂ™s death. By the late 1980s, Sasikala and Natarajan had moved into JayalalithaaвЂ™s Veda Nilayam at Poes Garden. That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Chandralekha delegated the responsibility to Natarajan, who roped in his wife to cover JayalalithaaвЂ™s programmes. Chandralekha to ensure the best media coverage for JayalalithaaвЂ™s tour. MGR asked South Arcot district collector V. That is when Jayalalithaa, who was the propaganda secretary of the AIADMK, went on a state-wide tour to popularise the midday meal scheme.

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Ramachandran, aka MGR, came to power, Natarajan started working as PRO at the district collectorвЂ™s office in Cuddalore, then South Arcot, in the early 1980s. But the money from the shop was not enough, and Sasikala had to pawn and sell her jewellery to fight the cases against her husband. To support the family, Sasikala started a video rental shop. The Emergency days were difficult as cases were filed against Natarajan for his involvement in the anti-Hindi agitation. They moved to Chennai where Natarajan worked as a public relations officer in the stateвЂ™s directorate of information and public relations department. Despite their political connections, the couple struggled to make ends meet. No Hindu rituals were performed at the wedding. Karunanidhi of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Natarajan in 1973 was solemnised by chief minister M. A discussion would always follow the news.Д«ig loss: Sasikala at JayalalithaaвЂ™s shrine at Marina Beach in Chennai | PTI With her fatherвЂ™s Dravidian-Periyar leanings, their humble abode would be abuzz with political news, thanks to All India Radio. Despite hailing from the influential Kallar community (commonly known as Thevars) and being land-holders, the family was not rich. Sasikala was born in 1954 to a farmer couple-Vivekanandam and Krishnaveni-at Mannargudi near Thanjavur. вЂњI swore at akkaвЂ™s (elder sisterвЂ™s) memorial that I would come back, defeat all the betrayers and save the party. All she divulges is that while in hospital, her only thought was to get well soon and return to Tamil Nadu. Neither Sasikala nor her family want to dwell too much on her time in jail and hospital. And, just before her release from jail was approved, she caught Covid-19 and was shifted to a hospital. The last year was particularly lonelier, with fewer visits owing to pandemic-induced restrictions. Sorry, I could not reply and also could not give you time to visit me, as there were several restrictions on people visiting me in the prison.вЂќ The four years in prison were the most difficult phase of her life, she says. As I inquire about her health, she says, вЂњI got the letters you wrote to me when I was in prison. And, it is to document this friendship between the two-once the most powerful women in Tamil Nadu politics-that I have been waiting to meet Sasikala for years. But now, Sasikala, who has been well-versed with the internal politics of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for more than 33 years, is set to make a comeback-all to keep her friendвЂ™s legacy alive. On her release from the Bengaluru prison this January, she had announced a step back from politics. Everyone thought that she would fade into oblivion post the developments following JayalalithaaвЂ™s death on December 5, 2016, including her 2017 conviction in a disproportionate assets case. Sasikala was JayalalithaaвЂ™s confidante, staying by her side in politics and life. Even though the mask covers her smile, I can see it in her eyes. вЂњVanakkam (greetings),вЂќ she says, her hands folded. Sasikala, clad in an all-grey salwar suit. вЂњBut Modi was always her friend.вЂќДЄs I set the empty mug down on the glass coffee table, in comes V.K. вЂњAdvani had huge respect for akka,вЂќ says Sasikala. Poes Garden had hosted several national leaders, like L.K.