Jayalalithaa set to return as the CM on May 17 after acquittal by Karnataka HC in long-running DA case
Amma is back. The Karnataka High Court on Monday acquitted AIADMK supremo J Jayalaithaa and three other co-accused in the Disproportionate Assets case, triggering a wave of celebration across Tamil Nadu, and sending shock waves among her political rivals.
Jayalalithaa or ‘Amma’ is expected to replace present Chief Minister Panneerselvam as the elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party on Tuesday. Panneerselvam filled in for Amma following her conviction and sentencing by a special court in Bangalore on September 27 last year.
Jaya was imprisoned for two weeks and was granted bail by the apex court on October 21. Since then she has not moved out of Veda Nilayam, her residence at Poes Garden in Chennai and Monday was no exception, either.
Despite the statement issued through the AIADMK headquarters, acknowledging the HC verdict, the AIADMK supremo remained indoors and did not meet any of her well-wishers, including Panneerselvam and party Ministers celebrating outside her residence.
Astrologers said that since Monday is considered inauspicious Amma preferred to be away from others. The AIADMK statement also mentioned the congratulatory call for Amma by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Honourable PM spoke to Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (Revolutionary leader-Amma) and extended his greetings,” it said.
Sources said that all AIADMK MlAs will assemble at the party headquarters on Tuesday to re-elect Amma leader of the legislature party and the swearing-in may take place on May 17. However, there is no official confirmation of this news, but there is nothing which prevents her from being sworn-in as the CM again. She needs to get elected to the Assembly only within the next six months, but there is also a strong feeling in AIADMK circles that she may prefer to go for a snap poll as conditions are favourable for her and her party.
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu are in total disarray. “The DMK is plagued with internal dissensions. The political atmosphere favours only Jayalalithaa and hence she will go for snap poll,” said N Kalyanasundaram, Tamil Nadu’s veteran political chronicler.
He pointed out that in normal course, election to the TN Assembly is scheduled for April 2016. “She will not waste her time on two elections. Moreover, she can win without any alliance partners,” he added.
Interestingly, other than the BJP and the TMC, most political parties described the verdict as unfortunate.
M Karunanidhi (93), the DMK chief said the Karnataka verdict was not the end. “What has been pronounced today is not the final verdict. I would like to remind one and all about Mahatma Gandhi’s saying that there is a court above all courts and that is conscience,” said Karunanidhi.
Earlier, acquitting her in the 19-year-old Disproportionate Assets case, the HC said her conviction suffered from infirmity and was not sustainable in law.
“...The accused are entitled to acquittal. When the principal accused (Jayalalithaa) has been acquitted, the other accused, who played a lesser role, are entitled to acquittal,” Justice CR Kumaraswamy said in his 919-page judgment.
The High Court verdict, that also acquitted Jayalalithaa’s close aide Sasikala and two others, triggered immediate jubilation among the AIADMK ranks who celebrated the event with bursting of crackers, distribution of sweets and dancing outside her residence in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, the Special Public Prosecutor BV Acharya, who was brought in by the Supreme Court at the eleventh hour, said the prosecution case was seriously prejudiced as Karnataka and the SPP appointed by it were denied an opportunity to convince the High Court through oral arguments.