As Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK celebrated the birth centenary of its late founder and Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR), two of his relatives joined the BJP, the party said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said Praveen, the grandson of MGR's elder brother MG Chakrapani, and MGR's niece Leelavathy have joined his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On the same day, late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar reiterated her position on joining politics in a media address. However, she is yet to clarify whether to join AIADMK or float her own party.
Deepa said she would announce her next course of action on February 24, on the birth anniversary of her aunt Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5.
The death of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa on December 5 after she was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on September 22 has left a huge political vacuum in Tamil Nadu.
Currently, the reigns of the AIADMK is in hands of long time Jayalalithaa aide Sasikala Natarajan after she was made the General Secretary of the party in its first General meeting held after May elections.
Days before her official appointment, district functionaries and party office bearers had asked her to lead the party. Even there were cadre within the party and senior members asking her to take over as the CM.