After a brief lull, leaders of the AIADMK are back to temples and churches to pray for the acquittal of their general secretary Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case, while public anticipation is reaching a climax over a verdict that could mark a turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political history.
A date for the Karnataka High Court’s judgment in Ms.Jayalalithaa’s appeal is expected to be announced any time now. While most AIADMK leaders express confidence of a victory for Ms. Jayalalithaa in her appeal in the Karnataka High Court, there is anxiety over what would happen in case of an adverse order, given that Assembly elections are due next year.
Sources in the AIADMK’s legal team suggest they are expecting the verdict before May 12, the date when the bail granted for Ms. Jayalalithaa expires. “It is a clear case of political vendetta. She will come out unscathed,” says a team member.
But crucial developments in the last two weeks have had an impact on the party. Having remained in virtual oblivion for a year, DMDK leader Vijayakant managed to spice up the political scene by meeting all opposition leaders in the State on the Cauvery issue. Quick to latch on to this opportunity, DMK president M. Karunanidhi expressed his desire for a tie-up with the DMDK openly, even stating that an alliance alone would save the people of Tamil Nadu.
“At some point, we (AIADMK) will also have to start looking at our electoral strategy. We are hoping for Amma’s quick release in the High Court so that this process could begin,” says an AIADMK legislator. On the possibility of snap polls in case of an acquittal, the leader says the party is always ready to face elections and the return of Ms. Jayalalithaa with a legal victory would provide the necessary surge to win elections.
Though leaders like Mr. Vijayakant and Thol. Thirumavalavan (VCK) have begun talking of alliances and electoral strategy, one solace for the AIADMK is how fractured the opposition is at the moment.
“While they all criticise the AIADMK and consider us the common enemy, the differences between these parties are too wide to bridge. Is it even possible for these parties, each of which has a chief minister candidate of its own, to work together,” questions another AIADMK leader, requesting anonymity. He says the campaign of corruption against the AIADMK would not work as the 2G scam, in which many DMK leaders are accused, is still fresh in people’s memory.
Solatium distributed
The AIADMK on Wednesday handed over Rs. 15 lakh to families of a party cadre who died reportedly due to anxiety over the ongoing disproportionate assets’ case involving former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
According to a release issued by the party, a sum of Rs. 3 lakh was handed over to families of five party members who died recently. Listing the names of beneficiaries, the release said so far families of 225 persons had received aid amounting to Rs. 6.75 crore.
The party recently handed over medical aid of Rs. 2 lakh to four members, the release added.
