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All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo J Jayalalitha has publicly distanced herself from one-time aide M Natarajan, husband of her live-in confidante Sasikala.
"There is no truth in his claims to being close to me or to the party," she said in a statement Friday. "There is no change in my view that Natarajan is a fraud, and party men are advised against approaching him for the AIADMK ticket in the assembly elections."
At some public functions, Natarajan had hinted at being close to the AIADMK leadership and being associated with its poll strategy. Natarajan had also declared that Jayalalitha would not be disqualified from contesting the assembly polls.
"It has become a habit with Natarajan to create an impression of assisting me in poll-related work," said Jayalalitha adding, "He has no qualms or decency to stay away despite my repeated public ridicule."
According to her, Natarajan was no longer a member of the party and she had not allowed him into her Poes Garden residence for over 11 years.
Jayalalitha's public denial apart, there are indications of Natarajan's involvement in AIADMK affairs, with or without her knowledge.
As is known, one of those accompanying then DMK Minister Thamizhkudimagan to Jayalalitha's residence when he joined the AIADMK is a known associate of Natarajan. "But we thought, Amma knew about it," quips an AIADMK leader.
Jayalalitha disowned Natarajan after suspecting him of aiding Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy of trying to topple her government in 1992.
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