Deepa's entry is seen as a direct challenge to Sasikala, Jayalalithaa's aide who took over as AIADMK general secretary on December 31. If Sasikala is now known as Chinnamma (little mother) in a reminder of the Amma legacy, some party supporters are already addressing the niece as "Deepamma". In the interlude, if the Supreme Court verdict in the wealth case goes against Sasikala, Deepa's acceptance could become more widespread. Many of them collected their AIADMK membership cards to be surrendered at the party headquarters to protest Sasikala's leadership. "I cannot accept anyone else as leader other than MGR or Jayalalithaa," Deepa said in reply to a question if she would accept Sasikala's leadership.

Source: The Telegraph January 17, 2017 22:24 UTC