As AIADMK cadres and followers celebrate their leader J Jayalalithaa’s acquittal on Monday in the disproportionate assets case, the big question that is on many people’s minds is what's next for the AIADMK chief?
J Jayalalithaa was not present in Bangalore at the High Court as it pronounced her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case. She stayed back home in Poes Garden in Chennai, but has reportedly been receiving updates via her partymen and media reports.
Her first step would be to meet her supporters, thank them and talk about her victory but no one is sure whether she will also give a speech at this point. However, the AIADMK chief issued a statement saying, it was a victory for justice and defeat for those who had conspired to defame and malign her legacy and the legacy of her mentor MGR.
"I thank people of Tamil Nadu for reposing faith in me and I thank God for the gift of people's love. I don't take it as a victory for me but a victory for truth and victory for people of Tamil Nadu," she said in her statement. While reports suggest that she would be visiting a temple to offer her prayers, in her statement, she also recalled with sorrow the demise of 233 party cadres who lost their lives after the special court delivered it's verdict on 27 September last year.
Here's what we can expect next from the AIADMK chief:
Taking over as Chief Minister
Now that she has been acquitted, her counsel B Kumar states that there is no impediment for her to become chief minister. Her party cadres and followers are keen that she does so at the earliest. The current Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is set to meet her on Monday and also submit his resignation. Sources say that she is likely to be sworn in once again as CM on May 17. She may have to contest a by-election within six months, but that may well be a cakewalk for her.
Strengthening the AIADMK
Jayalalithaa will now work on rebuilding and strengthening her party in the state once again. After her self-imposed exile for seven months now, it’s likely that Jayalalithaa will now meet her party men and decide on her next steps. AIADMK suffered a serious setback when she was convicted and if the conviction had been upheld on Monday, it would have shattered the party and led to the likely resurgence and return of the DMK. However, DMK which is now fragmented due to internal politics, is likely to face a tough time now that she has been freed of all charges.
Decision on early elections
There is widespread speculation that Jaya will call for early elections, but her party men say that this is unlikely. They say that it is the DMK that wants early elections, but she is likely to wait till May 2016.
Putting state schemes back on track
All the welfare schemes that Amma had initiated had slowed down since she stepped down. For instance, there are 100 more Amma Unnavagams or canteens that are in the pipeline, waiting to be launched. All these welfare schemes are likely to be fast-tracked by her once she takes over as Chief Minister. Though O Pannerselvam was her chosen man to be CM, he didn't make major decisions during his tenure. Initiatives like the Metro rail project and Global Investors Meet were held up as the government didn't want to move them forward without her. So Jaya at the helm, hopefully governance will now improve and the state will start to focus on development once again.
Disproportionate Assets case in Supreme Court
Subramanian Swamy who started the ball rolling, is likely to appeal her acquittal in the Supreme Court. Jayalalithaa and her counsel will fight these charges. But Amma will try to ensure that she does everything to come out a winner in the Supreme Court as well.
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