Overview
- On February 24 in Kamuthi, V. K. Sasikala announced a new political party and unveiled a black‑white‑red flag bearing the portraits of C. N. Annadurai, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, with the party name to be revealed later.
- She framed the outfit as a Dravidian movement for the poor and marginalised and pledged to “root out enemies and traitors.”
- Sasikala remains disqualified from contesting elections until 2027 due to her disproportionate‑assets conviction, constraining her direct electoral role this year.
- Targeting AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, she accused him of betrayal after her backing made him chief minister and recounted restrictions she faced during parole and after her release.
- Analysts say her move could split opposition votes and create a four-way contest with the DMK, the AIADMK‑led NDA and Vijay’s TVK, as the BJP spotlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s March 1 Madurai visit and NDA rally.