On Jayalalithaa's birthday, factions compete to gain support

Niece Deepa Jayakumar floats new party, plans to contest by polls and local govt elections

On the 69th birthday of J Jayalalithaa, the late supremo of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the rival factions that emerged after her death have reiterated their stand against each other, even as they paid tributes to the departed leader. Deepa Jayakumar, niece of Jayalalithaa also launched a new party and announced plans to contest in the by polls and local government elections in the state.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has been elected by the V K Sasikala faction, spearheaded the planting of 690,000 tree sapplings in the state to commemorate the deceased leader's birthday. He