Who Gets Amma’s Money? Her Nephew Backs Sasikala, Niece Left Alone

Deepa Jayakumar, Jayalalithaa’s niece, has been vocal against Sasikala and had vowed to fight for property rights.

File photo of Jayalalithaa with confidante Sasikala. (Photo: Reuters)

On 6 December, thousands of people gathered at the MGR Memorial in Marina beach to witness the final moments of Jayalalithaa’s funeral. But in the minds of the millions watching the event on TV, there was one question – who was the man standing with Sasikala while the last rites were being done?

That was Deepak Jayakumar, Jayalalithaa’s brother Jayakumar's son and one of Jayalalithaa’s few existing blood-relatives.

Deepak has stayed far away from the public glare all his life. He has never spoken out and many did not know who he was until after the funeral. He is also the brother of Deepa Jayakumar, Jayalalithaa’s niece who has been vocal against Sasikala, and claimed that she was not allowed to meet her aunt.

Deepa had recently said she would contest for her rights in Jayalalithaa’s property.

Deepak has now spoken to Tamil magazine Junior Vikatan. In the interview, where he refers to Jayalalithaa endearingly as ‘athai’ (father’s elder sister), and Sasikala as ‘Sasi athai’, he talks about his relationship with Jayalalithaa, Deepa’s ‘gap’ with her aunt and what will happen to all the property that Jayalalithaa owned.

Here are some key points he makes in the interview.

On Claims to Jaya's Wealth

(Photo: Suhasini Krishnan/The Quint)

On Deepa Creating a 'Gap' in Their Relation

(Photo: Suhasini Krishnan/The Quint)

On Visiting Amma in Hospital

(Photo: Suhasini Krishnan/The Quint)

On Sasikala’s Role in Jaya’s Death

(Photo: Suhasini Krishnan/The Quint)

On Sasikala Taking Charge of AIADMK

(Photo: Suhasini Krishnan/The Quint)

Also Read: “Chinnamma” Sasikala to be the Next AIADMK General Secretary

(With inputs from The News Minute)