Tamil Nadu witnessed a flood of emotional outpouring, screams of joy and sloganeering as soon as the news broke out that the Karnataka High Court has acquitted former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.

At around 11 am, awaiting the verdict, thousands of supporters of ruling party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had gathered outside the party chief’s house at Poes Garden, choking the tree-lined avenues.

Anxious crowd To the anxious crowd, the outcome of the court’s decision was not only critical to Amma’s political career but also to their own fortunes.

Last September, a special court had convicted Jayalalithaa on charges of amassing wealth to the tune of ₹66 crore and handed out a four-year jail sentence and slapped a fine of ₹100 crore.

She had been accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to her income during 1991-1996, when she was the CM.

The case, which dragged for nearly two decades, had been filed by K Anbazhagan, a senior leader of the DMK, an arch rival of the AIADMK. Three co-accused including Sasikala Natarajan, her close confidante, were also convicted. Jayalalithaa had to step down as Chief Minister, and appealed against the verdict.

Early in the morning on Monday, her Chennai residence was abuzz with supporters waving party flags and posters.

As the crowd got wind of the favourable verdict, over mobile phones and news channels, there was instant jubilation. Firecrackers went off in a continuous roar. Beaming party workers, tears of joy rolling down their cheeks, handed out sweets.

Drum beats and jigs Amma’s followers beat drums, launched into impromptu jigs and broke coconuts at Ganesha temples. Slogans such as “Amma Vaazgha” “Puratchi Thalaivi Vaazgha” reverberated through the normally quiet residential area.

State Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other top political leaders and government functionaries streamed in, carrying bouquets.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who had stepped in to hold the fort in Jayalalithaa’s place, also came to greet her.

A Jayalalithaa loyalist who was hoping to greet the leader said she held meetings only with State Cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats and police officials. The others had to make do with just “seeing” her, the person said on condition of anonymity.

Media persons and party supporters who had hoped to get a glimpse of her had to settle for an official statement, as she chose to stay away from public gaze on Monday.

A former minister declined to give details on what happened inside the house.

“Please ask O Pannerselvam for details,” he offered.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW