Hundreds of nervous AIADMK cadres trickled into the party headquarters at Royapettah here on Monday morning hoping for the acquittal of their leader, Jayalalithaa, who was judged guilty in the disproportionate assets case last September. The future of the party was at stake.
Though the cadre were openly singing praises of their ‘Amma’ even at 10 a.m., there was tension in the air. While the cadres maintained that their leader was incorruptible and that she was a victim of a vicious campaign by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, one could hear the murmurs about the future of the party if the verdict went against her.
Asked if Jayalalithaa’s image had been tarnished in the corruption case, Ezhil, a member of the party’s women’s wing in Thanjavur, defended her leader: “What is Rs. 66 crore when compared to hundreds and thousands of crores swindled by the DMK [in the 2G scam]?”
For many party workers, it was an opportunity to showcase their unflinching loyalty. Raja Mohammed, in his 50s, came dressed like MGR from Melur in Madurai to welcome back his beloved leader. “For my wedding, she gifted me money. I will always be loyal to her. I have come all the way to see her today,” he said.
One woman even threatened to commit suicide if Amma was not acquitted. The guards at the party headquarters advised her not to take any extreme step and assured her that it would only be an acquittal. Around 11 a.m., the cadre erupted with joy the minute the word got out that all four accused have been acquitted from the corruption case. Sweet boxes were whipped out and laddus were in the air. More laddus were dropped than they were consumed. The cadre began bursting crackers.
Some Ministers, who had quietly made their way into the party headquarters early in the morning, came out triumphantly flashing the victory sign and shaking hands with the party workers and hugging them as they made their way back to their cars.
For many, it was an opportunity to showcase their loyalty
