Political leaders cutting across party lines reacted to Jayalalithaa's acquittal in the disproportionate assets case delivered by the Karnataka High Court on Monday.
"It is not a victory for me personally. Justice and dharma have triumphed. Conspiracies may win temporarily but the final victory is always for truth." - Jayalalithaa, former chief minister, AIADMK chief
"What has been pronounced today is not the final verdict. I would like to remind one and all about Mahatma Gandhi’s saying there is a court above all courts and that is conscience." - M. Karunanidhi, former chief minister, DMK president.
“As far as I am concerned, People’s Chief Minister (a term used for Jayalalithaa by her supporters after she was disqualified from the post on being convicted in the case last year) has got a big relief with the grace of God. Jayalalithaa should ensure that the people of Tamil Nadu get that relief,” - Tamilisai Sounderrajan, state BJP president.
"I extent my heartiest greeting to both the party and its cadres." - Sarath Kumar, actor, president AISMK
"It ' s not unusual thing. When you are in a democratic system then such twists & turns are expected... She has now earned the right to be sworn again as the CM." - Subramanian Swamy, BJP leader
"Normally I didnt expect this verdict, but so many judgments are surprising." - B.V. Acharya, Special Public Prosecutor in the DA case
“This is not a final verdict. In this background Karnataka government should appeal in the Supreme Court against Jayalalithaa’s acquittal.” - G Ramakrishnan, state secretary, CPI(M)
"Jayalalithaa’s acquittal is a loss to democracy and justice... There is a widespread opinion that Special Public Posecutor G Bhawani Singh, appointed by the Karnataka government, had not argued against Jayalalithaa but for her." - S. Ramadoss, PMK founder
"While no aspersions should be cast against a judicial verdict, one has the right to criticise it." - E.V.K.S Elangovan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president
