The intrigue in Tamil Nadu politics just went up a notch as an alleged "secret son" of late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa turned up, claiming that his "mother" was pushed down the stairs by her close aide VK Sasikala following an argument about revealing his real identity to the world.
A man named Krishnamurthy, an Erode resident, has filed a complaint with the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu stating that he is the rightful owner of the late CM's estate. He claims that he stayed with Jayalalithaa at her at Poes Garden residence in 2016 for four days, two months before her death.
"My mother wanted to introduce me as her son to the world and knowing this, an argument broke out between her and Sasikala," he was quoted as saying by India Today.
In an attempt to put to rest speculations about Jayalalithaa's death and the circumstances surrounding her hospitalisation, the Tamil Nadu government had made records of the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai and AIIMS in New Delhi public.
Jayalalithaa died at the Apollo Hospitals on 5 December after 75 days of hospitalisation. An ambulance from the hospital found her breathless, with low oxygen saturation resulting in drowsiness at about 10 pm on 22 September, according to IANS. She was admitted immediately and diagnosed to be suffering from infection and dehydration, accompanied by respiratory distress.
The supporters of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam have alleged foul play leading to Jayalalithaa's death. AIADMK leader and former Speaker P.H. Pandian had alleged that she was pushed down the stairs at her residence and demanded a probe.
Krishnamurthy currently stays at Jayalalithaa's friend Vanithamani's house along with his adoptive parents, the India Today report said.