The Supreme Court verdict on disproportionate assets case that upheld the conviction of AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and two others received a rather muted public reaction from people in central districts of the State.
But for bursting of crackers and distribution of sweets in some places, there was no overt celebrations in the region. In Tiruchi, soon after the Supreme Court delivered its judgement, a section of people, who were specifically anxious over the election of Ms. Sasikala as the leader of the AIADMK legislature party, came out on streets to express their happiness. While some of them distributed sweets to passersby, a few others burst crackers in different parts of the city. However, there was no public celebration in the city except for the bursting of crackers at a couple places such as Kattur and Srirangam by small group of supporters of Chief Minister O.Paneerselvam and J.Deepa, niece of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
The judgement became talk of the town with the people from all walks of life huddled with one another in discussing pros and cons of the verdict that dashed the hopes of Ms. Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister. Right from home makers to office goers, traders to merchants, members of civic society to representatives of various forums exchanged their views on the judgement and its implication on State politics.
“It is a great victory for all those fighting against corruption. Wrongdoers will have to face the music. It has taught a lesson to those looting public wealth. It should have come earlier,” said M. Surendran (23) of Keeranur.
“The judgement has effectively sealed the hope of Ms. Sasikala taking the reign of the State. It has come at a right time. It will send a clear signal to the politicians,” said B. Vijayan (56) of K.K. Nagar.
However, there were some dissenting voices too.
“The sequence of the latest political developments in the State suggest that it is a planned one. The judgement was reserved several months ago. What is the need for delivering the judgement when Ms. Sasikala has staked claim to form the government,” wondered S. Narayanan of Woraiyur.
AIADMK cadre were divided on the judgement. While supporters of Ms.Sasikala remained silent, supporters of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and J. Deepa were cautious on commenting the judgement. A section of cadre, who were up in arms against the selection of AIADMK legislature party leader, expressed joy by distributing sweets to passersby in various parts of the city.
Perambalur
In Perambalur, three supporters of Ms. Deepa sustained injuries in a clash between them and Sasikala supporters. According to sources, objecting to the distribution of sweets to passersby as a mark of welcoming the judgement, a group of loyalists of Ms.Sasikala attacked Deepa supporters with logs. The injured, Pitchai (52), Sengunam Nallusamy (62), Manisekaran (55) and Koulpalayam Sampath (48), were admitted to the Government Hospital here for treatment.
In Karur, the supporters of O. Panneerselvam and Deepa burst crackers and distributed sweets on Karur-Coimbatore road. There were reports of celebrations in Kulithalai, Velayuthampalayam and K. Paramathi.
In Ariyalur, Deepa supporters led by former MLA P. Elavazhagan burst crackers near bus stand welcoming the judgement.
Supporters of Deepa and Panneerselvam garlanded the statue of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran near the bus stand. They took out a procession and distributed sweets to the people. They burst crackers at Thirukokarnam, Mettupatti, Alangudi, Viralimalai, Ponnamaravathi and Aranthangi.
A section of supporters of Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam distributed sweets to the public and burst crackers at a few places in Nagapattinam.
