AIADMK general secretary News

Natarajan, 74, has been admitted to Gleneagles Global Health City in Perumbakkam, where he is under intensive care.

"The report that has been presented by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Prisons) D Roopa is indeed shocking. Like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, a probe is necessary into the matter, after which necessary action needs to be taken," DMK spokesperson Saravanan told ANI.

If Sasikala is removed from the post, her decision to expel Panneerselvam from the party would stand null and void.  

According to the channel, the Governor in a report to the Union Home Ministry cited the pending disproportionate assets (DA) case against Sasikala as the reason for her not being qualified to stake the claim.

VK Sasikala, the long-time close associate of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, faces more than a few challenges as she prepares to rule one of India's most politically vital states.

A small group of AIADMK cadres and supporters of former chief minister Jayalalithaa's niece, Deepa Jayakumar, on Saturday staged a black flag protest here against an appointment of VK Sasikala as party General Secretary.

Sasikala will now lead AIADMK, the second largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha with 37 members. The party also has 13 members in Rajya Sabha.

VK Sasikala Natarajan, close aide of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, will formally take charge as general secretary of 

Sasikala's supporters say that she had been Jayalalithaa's aide, sister, friend and confidante for 30 years through Amma's ups and downs.

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's long-time aide Sasikala Natarajan will be the next general secretary, a party spokesperson confirmed this on Thursday.