No Force Can Separate Me From AIADMK, Says Sasikala; Jayalalithaa’s Niece Joins Panneerselvam Camp

The Supreme Court has directed Sasikala and two others to surrender to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of their four-year jail term.

Tamil-Nadu

AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala has been convicted by the Supreme Court, which set aside the Karnataka high court verdict acquitting her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case that also involved late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.

“I was expecting the conviction. I don’t think Sasikala can escape the 4-year sentence,” Subramanian Swamy said after the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Sasikala might choose one of her loyalists for the Tamil Nadu chief minister post, reported the Times of India.

Also read: As Sasikala is Convicted, A Look Back at the Twists and Turns in the Infamous Case

“This is a great success for Tamil Nadu people. It is a victory of truth and judicial system”, DMK’s Tamilan Prasanna told ANI.

The verdict disqualifies Sasikala from becoming a legislator and consequentially she can’t be chief minister of Tamil Nadu either. The proceedings against Jayalalithaa have abated since she passed away.

Also read: Sasikala DA Case Verdict: What You Need to Know About Original High Court Ruling

The Supreme Court has directed Sasikala and two others – her relatives V.N. Sudhakaran and Elavarasi – to surrender to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of their four-year jail term. The trial court had sentenced Sasikala and her two relatives to four years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10 crore each.

Also read: What the Supreme Court Said While Convicting Sasikala

Video: O. Panneerselvam’s supporters celebrate outside his residence

“The Supreme Court judgment against Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and V N Sudakaran and J Ilavarasi is historic. It is a lesson to all politicians to be clean in politics. We urge Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to ensure a stable government is put in place at the earliest possible, given the verdict of Supreme Court,” DMK leader MK Stalin told the Times of India.

Listen: After Sasikala’s Conviction, What’s Next For Tamil Nadu?

“Truthful triumph. Sasikala betrayed Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and therefore was punished by God,” Manoj Pandian told the Times of India. He was a legal adviser to Jayalalithaa.

“The judgment of the trial court has been restored and majesty of justice has been upheld and it is a clear message to those people, who have criminal antecedents that they should not aspire to enter into public life. The probity in public life is a clear message from Supreme Court,” he said.


Video: O. Panneerselvam’s supporters celebrate outside his residence


Edappadi K Palanisamy has been elected AIADMK legislature party leader, reported Jaya TV.

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O Panneerselavam expelled from AIADMK in lawmakers’ meeting called by Sasikala after her conviction in corruption case.

“Our rivals have been waiting for a split in the party. We should not give room to that. If it happens, the spirits of MGR and Amma will not forgive us,” Panneerselvam said in a statement addressed to party MLAs and ministers.

Edappadi Palanisamy to meet Tamil Nadu governor soon.

Sasikala’s conviction: What’s next for Tamil Nadu?

“We will file review petition,” AIADMK leader M Thambidurai told ANI.

Leaders and MLAs from Panneerselvam’s camp are planning to visit the Koovathur Resort to meet AIADMK legislators staying there, reported PTI.

Supreme Court Judgement by The Wire on Scribd

Sasikala has expelled scores of ‘rebels’, including minister K. Pandiarajan and senior leader C. Ponnaiyan, reports PTI.

Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao to meet newly-elected AIADMK legislature party leader K. Palanisamy and others at 5:40pm.

“My political journey begins today. Panneerselvam & I will work like two arms of AIADMK,“ J Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar told the media on Tuesday night after meeting the chief minister at her aunt’s memorial.

“People also welcome the verdict as they do not want to see Sasikala to lead them and against her. Our Amma (Jayalalithaa) did not like them (Sasikala clan) at all. None has any second thought about it. Sasikala had brought harm to the leader, and cheated her only to gain power and money. The court verdict has put an end to this,” she said.

 

“No force can separate me from AIADMK; no matter where I’ll be, I’ll always think about party. I feel so satisfied that despite facing troubles, MLAs are supporting me,” said Sasikala while addresing AIADMK MLAs.