Chennai, Feb 4 (Agencies): In a surprise development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam removed Jayalalithaa’s three trusted aides from the key posts.

While Sheela Balakrishnan was asked to quit as adviser to the government, K N Venkataramanan and A Ramalingam were removed from their posts.

All the three officers were known to be close to Jayalalithaa. The move comes nearly two months after her demise. Sheela Balakrishnan had played a key role in the State’s administration when Jayalalithaa was in hospital.

Sasikala appointed senior leaders, including some former Ministers and a former Mayor, to key party posts.

Former Ministers K A Sengottaiyan, S Gokula Indira and B V Ramana, besides ex-Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy were today appointed as the party's Organisation Secretaries, she said.

She announced the appointments of various senior leaders, including Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, to a number of posts. Sasikala also announced removal of Ambattur MLA V Alexander as AIADMK's MGR Youth Wing Secretary.

AIADMK has called a meeting of its MLAs on February 5. The recent moves by the party strengthens the reports of Sasikala emerging as the Tamil Nadu CM.