Allies stand by Jayalalithaa, foes hail judgment

By R.K. Radhakrishnan and

S. Vydianathan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. While AIADMK allies stood solidly behind Ms. Jayalalithaa in her hour of crisis following the Supreme Court verdict, the Opposition was unsparing in its criticism of her and the party.

The DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, said he was neither `happy nor sad'. The law had done its duty. ``When the rule of law is upheld, everyone, including me will be satisfied.''

The TMC president, Mr. G.K. Vasan, refusing to go into the merits of the verdict since he had ``not seen the judgment copy'', said his party would continue to remain in the AIADMK alliance. ``There is no change in our stance. The case will have no bearing on the alliance'', he told The Hindu.

The CPI, in a strong statement of support, said the judgment would ``not create any problem for the AIADMK Government''. The State secretary, Mr. R. Nallakannu, said that since the AIADMK had a huge majority in the Assembly, a new leader could be chosen with Ms. Jayalalithaa's guidance and a Government formed. The CPI(M) was the only ally which did not come with an equally strong statement. ``Consequent on the decision of the court disqualifying Ms. Jayalalithaa from holding the post of Chief Minister, the AIADMK as a party commanding a majority in the Assembly will have to elect a new leader to form the Government'', the politburo said in a statement released from New Delhi.

``As far as the legal cases are concerned, Ms. Jayalalithaa's appeal against her conviction in the TANSI case is pending before the High Court. This case must be disposed of without delay'', the party said.

Mr. P. Chidambaram, founder-general secretary of the Congress Jananayaka Peravai, regretted that electoral politics and misplaced sympathy had resulted in the weakening of the Constitution.

A disqualified person was chosen Chief Minister. He hoped that the AIADMK would realise its responsibility and form a new Government that would conform to the Constitution.

The Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress president, Mr. Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthi, said the court comment questioning the Governor's action would sound the death knell of democracy.

The Social Justice Party president, Mr. Jegaveerapandian, said the people had elected Ms. Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK and the people's court was superior to all other courts. The DK treasurer, Mr. K. Swamidurai, said the day was not far when she would emerge victorious in the cases; contest elections and come back as Chief Minister.

The PMK and the BJP criticised Ms. Jayalalithaa for holding on to her post for so long. The BJP secretary, Mr. Ela. Ganesan, said his party had expressed its opposition to a disqualified person being sworn in Chief Minister. The credit for clarifying the constitutional provisions should go to Ms. Jayalalithaa, he said.

The PMK said the court decision would prevent wrongdoers occupying seats of authority. The founder-president, Dr. S. Ramadoss, welcomed the ``historic judgment''.

The MDMK secretary, Mr. Vaiko, also described it as `historic' and said this would ``further strengthen and glorify the Indian democracy''.

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