Yet another cadre of the AIADMK has attempted suicide, this time for the delay in party general secretary Jayalalithaa returning as Chief Minister.
Former panchayat president and long time party loyalist U. Ravichandran (55) of Thillaiyambur near here doused in petrol set himself on fire on Saturday night at his house. Villagers said that he had been depressed over the course of events that delayed Ms. Jayalalithaa return even though she was acquitted in the disproportionate assets case.
As he was wheeled into the ambulance Ravichandran was heard shouting slogans hailing Ms. Jayalalithaa and calling for her immediate return as Chief Minister. In a hand-written note he reportedly left behind he expressed the hope that in case of his death Ms. Jayalalithaa would take care of his wife Annalakshmi and daughters Gokila Devi and Nandhini.
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Housing Minister R. Vaithilingam and other AIADMK leaders in Thanjavur district visited Ravichandran who is fighting for life at the Kumbakonam GH with 80 per cent burns. The Minister consoled his distraught family.
On the day of the verdict acquitting Ms. Jayalalithaa, Ravichandran with scores of partymen performed special abishekam and poojas at Sri Bhairavar Sannadhi at a temple near Kumbakonam and upon her release broke 108 coconuts in front of a temple.