Chennai: Poes Garden, which remained the power centre in Tamil Nadu for the last three decades, was silent on Tuesday.
Following the withdrawal of the police force, the roads leading to No 81, Veda Nilayam, were loosely occupied by AIADMK party cadres. As Ms Sasikala was expected to return to Poes Garden after the verdict, police was deployed at the high-profile area but it was soon withdrawn after the verdict was delivered since no VVIP resides in that area.
Party cadres, who began celebrating hoping that their leader will be acquitted, were suddenly forced into distress after learning the hard reality. Supporters vented out against the central government and caretaker Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam during the latter part of the day.
Decked in green attires and painted party symbol on the top of their heads, five AIADMK enthusiasts who called themselves the party's 'cycle promoters', expressed their anguish over the judgement, claiming that it came at a wrong time.
“We were 10 in number. Although five among us shifted to the OPS camp, we will remain grounded in our support towards Chinnamma,” said V.S. Manikandan, who was unable to contain his anger, thereby resorted to using foul language.
Celebrations across state
Even though the verdict has sent shock waves to few Sasikala supporters, there was a sigh of relief from the general public who celebrated 'justice' and 'democracy' on Tuesday.
Political enthusiast, Arunkumar Cheyyaru said, “Though delayed, the judgment is definitely something to celebrate for those who have been keenly following it. However, it is ironic that the general public forgot the fact that Jayalalithaa is the A1 in the case.”
