CHENNAI -- Late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar on Tuesday said she has decided to follow in the former's footsteps and enter politics.
Deepa, however, said she will announce her next political step on Jayalaithaa's birth anniversary on 24 February.
"I plan to embark on my political journey at an appropriate time," she told the media in Chennai.
"I have two options one is to join the AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a final call," she added.
Deepa, who is considered by many as the counterweight to Jayalalithaa's close friend and recently elected AIADMK chief Sasikala Natarajan, also said she cannot accept anyone else in the late chief minister's position.
"What Sasikala's family is claiming is false that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas," said Deepa.
"There are many rumours being spread just to defame me and the people don't know the reality," she added.
Sasikala took over the reins of the ruling AIADMK last month with party leaders unanimously electing her as the AIADMK general secretary at its general council meeting last month.
The post fell vacant following Jayalalithaa's demise on 5 December last year.
Rare Photos Of Jayalalithaa You May Have Never Seen Before
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Open Image ModalJayalalithaa with former prime minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi on 21 April 1984. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJ Jayalalithaa in New Delhi on 9 April 1984. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalFile photo of Jayalalithaa, first female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, attending an event in New Delhi. (credit:BCCL)
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Open Image ModalTamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa with former prime minister Narasimha Rao in New Delhi on 16 July 1991. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJayalalithaa with BJP Leader LK Advani the at National Integration Council Meeting in New Delhi on 2 November 1991. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalAIADMK leader Jayalalithaa during press conference in New Delhi on 7 April 1989. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJ Jayalalithaa with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi on 6 April 1989. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalCongress president Sonia Gandhi welcoming AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa at her residence in New Delhi on 15 April 1999. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJ Jayalalithaa with former prime minister Narasimha Rao in New Delhi on 16 July 1991. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalFormer defence minister Sharad Pawar and Jayalalithaa in New Delhi on 10 February 1992. (credit:BCCL)
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Open Image ModalJ Jayalalithaa with an infant in Chennai on 19 May 1995. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalFormer prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa in New Delhi on 30 January 1999. (credit:Mint via Getty Images)