Mixed signals: Minister Bhalaji prays for Sasikala’s early release

This is the second time in the recent past that the Minister has sounded a discordant note with the party leadership, the previous instance being the support extended to Rajinikanth.

Offering prayers at the Srivilliputhur Andal temple on Saturday, the Minister said that he prayed to the principal deity seeking early release and good health for Sasikala, who is now cooling her heels in Bengaluru prison after being convicted in the disproportionate assets case.

“Sasikala’s incarceration is personal suffering for me. Hence I prayed for her early release from the prison,” Bhalaji told reporters outside the temple.

The vocal support by the Minister has understandably raised the eyebrows in the ruling AIADMK camp, particularly when the AMMK that split from AIADMK is gearing up for the release of Sasikala, who once pulled the strings when J Jayalalithaa was alive.

Not stopping with that, Bhalaji also reiterated his support for actor Rajinikanth, which is in variance with the strong reaction by his ministerial colleagues over the recent controversies that the actor had courted.

Commenting on the recent Rajinikanth – Periyar rally controversy, Bhalaji contended that Rajinikanth’s speech did not harm anybody. “The actor only said what had happened earlier. Those who agree with the actor’s statement may accept it, but others should keep quiet. Rajinikanth is an actor and a spiritual person. The demonstrations against him are unwanted,” he said.

Earlier, Ministers D Jayakumar and Sellur K Raju had condemned the actor for his comments against the controversial rally by Periyar in 1971. However, Minister Bhalaji has been supporting both Rajinikanth and Sasikala, exposing the difference of opinion within the ruling AIADMK. Recently, Minister KC Karuppannan also stoked a controversy stating that the AIADMK was gearing up to snap its alliance with Centre-ruling BJP. However, the Minister later retracted his comments on the subject.