First ever Jayalalithaa-in-hospital footage could impact crucial RK Nagar bypolls
A year after her death, a disqualified AIADMK MLA supporting Sasikala's faction has released the first-ever footage of Jayalalithaa in hospital, purportedly at the Apollo in Chennai. P Vetrivel, Dhinakaran's close aide who released the video, claims it was shot by Sasikala. He has refused to reveal the motive of his move, but it's likely this will impact voting in tomorrow's RK Nagar bypolls.
The rumors surrounding Jayalalithaa's death
Jayalalithaa was reportedly in the hospital for three months before she died on December 5, 2016. There were conspiracy theories since no one ever saw her in hospital. Fingers had been pointed at Sasikala, her close aide. There were rumors Jayalalithaa was actually brought dead to hospital. The Palaniswami faction had also alleged Sasikala had forced them to give false stories of Jayalalithaa's hospitalization.
Did the Sasikala faction possess this video since long?
Last year, Dhinakaran, Sasikala's nephew, had claimed she shot a video of Jayalalithaa in hospital upon Amma's instructions. He said they didn't want to release it "as she was wearing night wear". The recently-released footage shows Jayalalithaa sipping a drink while on a hospital bed.
'Released footage as we were left with no option'
Releasing the footage, Vetrivel told reporters, "It's false that no one met Jayalalithaa in hospital. We waited for days, but released it now as we were left with no option." He added they would submit the evidence to the inquiry commission probing Jayalalithaa's death if needed. This comes a day after DMK leader MK Stalin vowed to solve the "mystery" behind Jayalalithaa's death.
The footage could impact the crucial RK Nagar bypoll
The video could impact the crucial RK Nagar bypolls, which were necessitated after Jayalalithaa's death led to the vacancy. It was earlier scheduled in April'17 but was cancelled following allegations of a massive cash-for-votes scam. This video could remove doubt from Sasikala and Dhinakaran, who is a powerful candidate in the bypoll. Votes will be counted on December 24.
