The closeness shared by Jayalalithaa and Sasikala has always evoked derisive comments from her political rivals. In February, 1992, during her first term as Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa celebrated her birthday along with Sasikala at the famous Kumbakonam temple on the occasion of Maasi Makam during a 'maha kumbhabishekam (consecration),' conducted once in 12 years.

But the occasion had turned tragic with 48 people drowning following a stampede caused by hundreds of jostling devotees who had gathered at the temple tank, also to watch Jayalalithaa and Sasikala pouring water on each other. Karunanidhi blamed Jayalalithaa and her friend for the stampede, using the Sanskrit word ‘jalakreedai’ (which has a royal connotation) to describe the two women ‘playing in water’ which, according to him, attracted the large crowds ending in the tragedy.

Jayalalithaa and Sasikala have for long been live-in friends, with the latter wielding considerable influence in state administration (whenever Jaya was in power) as well as in party matters. In 1996, soon after her electoral debacle, Jayalalithaa ‘disowned’ her friend, accusing her of making ‘some mistakes’. But the estrangement lasted only for a brief while with the two friends making up and getting back together.