NEW DELHI: Jayalalithaa’s long-time aide and expelled from AIADMK, VK Sasikala on Friday announced the name of her new political party — All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munetra Kazhagam — and said its symbol will be a “coconut tree farm”, as the political ground heats up in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, where multiple stakeholders are eyeing their fortunes.Sasikala will now enter the political battlefield with her own brigade in the tightly contested race, which already features several veterans, including some of her former party colleagues.

The key players in the Tamil Nadu elections include MK Stalin, Edappadi Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam. Meanwhile, national parties like the BJP and the Congress are also looking to expand their footprints in the state.