Jayalalithaa statue sculptor to TNM: ‘I will replace it free of cost’

After the Jayalalithaa statue that was unveiled at the AIADMK headquarters drew flak from various quarters for not bearing any resemblance to the late leader, Sivavaraprasad, the Vijayawada-based sculptor has now told TNM that the statue will be replaced free of cost.

A life-sized statue of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was unveiled in front of the party headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai on February 24 to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of the late AIADMK supremo. The statue was erected next to that of the AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran.

Post the unveiling, many on social media had pointed out that the statue did not bear any resemblance to the late leader. There were even memes that suggested that the statue looked more like ousted AIADMK general secretary Sasikala than Jayalalithaa.

Following this, AIADMK MLA and state Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar promised that changes would be made to the statue after consultation with party seniors. To add to this, AIADMK Minister Kadambur Raju had said that the sculptor himself will make the changes to the statue.

Speaking to TNM, the sculptor Sivavaraprasad said, “The minister has announced that it will be replaced and so we will replace it.”

On probing further, he said, “Of course I will replace it free of cost.” However, the sculptor seemed reluctant to say more.

As part of the 70th birth anniversary celebrations, the state government launched the scooter subsidy scheme wherein the government will provide 50% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 for the purchase of scooters by working women.

Earlier this month, amid boycott from the opposition DMK and ally Congress, a portrait of Jayalalithaa was unveiled at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai. Presided over by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal unveiled the 7-foot portrait of the late AIADMK supremo.