Even before her arrival in Chennai, the official announcement of VK Sasikala's release had stirred the possibilities of the changes in the scenes of political drama that would go against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami amid his strong hope of retaining the rule in the state. 

The allied parties of the ADMK had voiced in favor of Sasikala, exactly one day after her official release, and their statements, ahead of the assembly polls, had thrown big shock to the Chief Minister, who had vowed to contain Sasikala's return into politics. As the effect of the announcement of her release, the allied parties of ADMK started framing the politics with the assumption that the ADMK would go under the hands of the Sasikala after her release, leaving the current ADMK leaders to brace up for the fresh tussle. 

DMDK Treasurer and Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha Vijayakanth had thrown a bombshell to the ADMK leadership after inviting Sasikala into active politics. DMDK has been observing the alliance since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and amid the spats and political tussle, both parties were against relinquishing the alliance. However, as Sasikala would be arriving in Chennai in the first week of February, it was speculated that her release would change the political moves. 

Triggering the possibilities of changing the game, Premalatha had apparently shown her support to Sasikala. While addressing the party's event on Thursday in Dharmapuri, Premalatha said, "Sasikala would get recovered soon and would come to active politics. Edappadi Palaniswami wasn't the Chief Minister elected by the people, but he was elected by the party. In this election, DMDK expects 41 legislative seats in the upcoming polls". 

The remarks from Premalatha, who is currently a decision-maker of the party, had stirred political debate and furor in the political state and shocked Edappadi Palaniswami and the ADMK party. Along with the DMDK, actors turned politicians Karunas and Sarathkumar, who observe alliance with ADMK, have also voiced in support of Sasikala and Karunas said that he would meet Sasikala once she arrives in Chennai. 

While the ADMK party is swirled with major speculations over whether the party would accept or reject aligning with VK Sasikala for the assembly polls, our sources say that, with the lack of strong answers from the ADMK leadership, the allied parties are in the state of perplexion and considering whether or not to continue alliance with the ADMK. When voices of support for Sasikala from the ADMK alliance had sparked speculations on breaking the coalition, the political observers say that the allied parties are using Sasikala's release and supporting her as the prospect to bargain more legislative seats from the ADMK. 

As Sasikala is days ahead of her arrival in Chennai, ADMK would be facing larger challenges and troubles ahead of the elections from addressing the drift within the party and fixing the handicapped alliance to ensure that the ADMK stands firm with its policies and alliance to steer the party forward. The assembly polls and VK Sasikala's release are acid-tests for Edappadi Palaniswami along with facing the external allegations from the oppositions and general public. It's undeniable that the upcoming assembly polls would determine the fate of the current leadership in ADMK and the face of the party, which would emerge as the successor of J Jayalalithaa.