Was it an avoidable mess?

By V. Jayanth

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. The Opposition is happy that the ``rule of law has been upheld'' and that Ms. Jayalalithaa has been forced to step down. But the AIADMK chief described the installation of a new regime as purely an ``interim arrangement.''

Technically and legally, it may still be possible for Ms. Jayalalithaa to fight her TANSI cases and return to power if she wins the appeal.

The hearing of the appeal should begin by October 1 and Mr. Justice N. Dinakar has been named as the Judge to hear the appeals in the Madras High Court.

But her adversaries and some legal sources are convinced that the dice is loaded ``heavily against her.'' Just as today's judgment by the Constitution Bench became a landmark and her stepping down following that verdict set a new precedent in legislative history, Ms. Jayalalithaa will create history if she is able to win her appeals, get acquitted in the corruption cases and return as Chief Minister.

There is consternation and anguish in the AIADMK, with the cadres accusing the DMK-BJP combine of ``hatching a conspiracy'' to remove their leader from power.

Like Ms. Jayalalithaa, they too are confident that she will ``come back with a vengeance.''

Her critics say Ms. Jayalalithaa has only herself to blame. They too are cautious in their forecast. ``It may not be the end of the road, but we only hope that she would have learnt a few lessons in the process. Unfortunately, between 1996 and 2001, she failed to do that.

She was much more vengeful, autocratic and intolerant this time and she has paid the price for it,'' says a former Minister in the DMK regime.

Some of Ms. Jayalalithaa's friends now agree that it would have been much better for her if she had waited for a few months or even a year before assuming office as Chief Minister. ``She must have got herself acquitted of the charges and come to power with a clear name.

After all these cases and the Supreme Court's ruling, irreparable damage may have been caused to her reputation.

It is going to be extremely difficult to get over the hurdles and return to the saddle,'' a former MP who was with the AIADMK during the MGR days, reasons.

Friends and foes alike are convinced that she could have avoided the ``mess'' if she had waited for the verdict in the TANSI cases. From the beginning, Ms. Jayalalithaa was in a hurry - being sworn in on the very day the results came out; launching the investigations against the DMK chief and former Ministers; arresting Mr. M. Karunanidhi and two Union Ministers on June 29/30 and even antagonising the media.

The violence during the DMK rally on August 12 and the targeting of the media in the attack evoked sharp criticism at the national level. Ms. Jayalalithaa and her party would now very well drum up support and sympathy based on this adverse judgment, dubbing it a ``political conspiracy.'' She as well as some of her senior Cabinet colleagues had already charged the DMK with trying to ``influence the judiciary'' to secure a verdict favourable to them. This could have further damaged the Government's reputation.

The choice of Mr. O. Panneerselvam, whose proximity to the Sasikalaa family is well known, could lead to problems.

For now, Ms. Jayalalithaa must be satisfied with ``backseat driving'' or remote control a la Laloo Yadav. Perhaps in October or November, the Madras High Court will deliver its verdict on the TANSI case appeals. That is when Ms. Jayalalithaa's political future will become clear. Till then, she will have to govern by proxy.

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