Jayalalithaa’s comeback big boost to AIADMK

Chennai: The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu is charged in the wake of the Karnataka high court’s verdict on Monday.

It has paved the way for J. Jayalalithaa to become Chief Minister again and also enabled her to make a big political comeback.

With nearly an year to go for the Assembly poll as per schedule, Ms Jayalalithaa’s return as Chief Minister sends two strong messages across — her stand that the case had been foisted has been vindicated and the verdict and her good governance, is likely to tilt the scales in her party’s favour in the elections.

“Amma will become the Chief Minister. Will remain the Chief Minister after the elections (due next year) … she will win all the 234 seats.  There is absolutely no opposition to the AIADMK at all,” party spokesperson C.R. Saraswati said emphatically. The party’s stocks went up manifold on Monday.

Read: Courting victory: Jayalalithaa acquitted in disproportionate assets case

Monday’s court verdict has dramatically changed political equations. Parties, including DMDK founder Vijayakanth, who attempted to emerge a big hero by rallying opposition parties and leading a delegation to Delhi on the Mekedatu check dam project and other issues, and also the heightened war of words between the DMK and PMK have almost fallen silent.

The DMK and DMDK, which attempted in vain to capitalise the temporary political vacuum, in her absence, are left shell-shocked. However, the BJP has been quick to accept the verdict and extend her greetings.

The BJP, which wants to be an alternative to the two major Dravidian parties in the state, is more forthcoming. “They (AIADMK) may go in for snap polls given the win-win situation that seems to exist, but the BJP will present a third alternative to Tamil Nadu’s voters,” said the party’s senior leader, L. Ganesan.

Read: ‘Expect snap polls, going is very good for Jaya’

In the 2011 state elections, Ms Jayalalithaa virtually decimated the DMK to win a third term as Chief Minister. In the Lok Sabha elections last year, her party won 37 out of the 39 seats. The DMK got none, whereas the BJP combine managed to win two seats.

Not without a reason is the cadres jubilation. With her at the helm, the AIADMK has fair chances of making a huge victory in the next Assembly elections. Party insiders feel that she may choose Srirangam Assembly constituency again to contest.

MPs flash victory sign in Parliament

Scenes of elation were witnessed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the acquittal of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, as several party MPs flashed victory signs.

As the Lok Sabha was discussing the introduction of the new land bill, smiling AIADMK members entered the House and showed the victory sign while some of them were heard saying “Amma success”.

TMC leader Saugata Roy, who was speaking at the time, said it was “good news” for the members and congratulated them.

Read: Green flag for metro rail, other projects after Jayalaithaa’s acquittal

In the Rajya Sabha, leader of the AIADMK in the House, A. Navaneethakrishnan, flashed the victory sign amid the bedlam in the House over the Union minister Gadkari issue.

It happened soon after the House was adjourned for the first time during question hour as the Opposition stepped up the attack against Gadkari rejecting his reply and seeking his “dismissal” on the CAG reporting irregularities in loan extended to his family-linked Purti Group.

Navaneethakrishnan and other AIADMK members expressed joy sharing the news about their leader’s acquittal.

The AIADMK member also walked up to finance minister Arun Jaitley and commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman and chatted with them for a while.

Members from some other Opposition parties also shook hands with the happy AIADMK members.