Chennai: AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa on Monday termed the Karnataka high court judgment acquitting her and three others in the disproportionate assets case a “victory for dharma and uprightness” and said it gave her a sense of ‘immense fulfilment’.
In her first reaction to the verdict by the High Court in Bengaluru on Monday, the former Chief Minister, in a statement here, said the judgment had not only removed the ‘defamatory charges’ against her, but also freed her of the “slur heaped on me by my political enemies. The verdict has shown that I have done no wrong,” the AIADMK leader said.
Profusely thanking the people of Tamil Nadu and the countless party cadres who have been praying for her since the lower court verdict had initially convicted her in the case, Ms Jayalalithaa said, “Today’s verdict has come as God’s blessing to their prayers.” “I do not consider this as a personal victory for me; Justice has been upheld and dharma has won; political machinations may score temporary gains, but ultimately it is justice and fairness that wins,” the AIADMK leader said.
For all the twists and turns in the case in the wake of a conspiratorial web spun by the DMK, “today’s verdict proclaims to the world that final victory belongs to justice,” the 67-year-old leader said in a rather emotive tone. Ms Jayalalithaa urged her opponents, who unable to take her on or the AIADMK founded by MGR politically, resorted to such devious tactics, to give them a go-by here-with.
“I wholeheartedly thank all my party cadres and the people for continuing to have utmost faith in me and praying for me,” she said. Expressing deep grief at 233 AIADMK party cadres having ended their lives one way or another ever since the lower court verdict was given last September, Ms Jayalalithaa said she was pained to note that even yesterday four of her party workers had committed suicide.
“I wish they had been a little more patient to wait for today and had joined in the people’s rejoicing,” Ms Jayalalithaa said and vowed to continue to work always for people’s welfare and prosperity.
Tracking career chart
1964: At the age of 16, Jayalalithaa debuts in Kanada film Chinnada Gombe
1965: Makes her entry into Tamil film with Vennira Aadai in 1965
1982: After acting in over 120 movies including 28 films with M. G. Ramachandran, her political mentor, she joins AIADMK
1983: MGR appoints Jayalalithaa as propaganda secretary and she makes her first public speech
1984: Jayalalithaa is nominated to Rajya Sabha
1987: After MGR’s death in December 1987, AIADMK splits with one faction supporting MGR’s wife Janaki and the other supporting Jayalalithaa
1989: Jayalalithaa becomes Leader of Opposition after wining from Bodinayakkanur Assembly seat. Two factions later merge under Jayalalithaa’s leadership
1989: On March 25, Jayalalithaa accuses DMK leader Duraimurugan of pulling her sari in the Assembly when she tried to prevent the then chief minister
M. Karuna- nidhi from presenting the budget
1991: AIADMK in alliance with Congress sweeps the Assembly election. Jayalalithaa becomes chief minister of the state for the first time
1996: AIADMK loses general elections
1996: In December, CB-CID police arrests Jayalaithaa in the colour television case and she is released on bail on January 3, 1997
1998: AIADMK joins hands with BJP, PMK, MDMK and Janata Party to win 29 seats in LS elections
1999: Jayalalithaa pulls down Vajpayee led NDA government at the Centre
2000: In October, a special court convicts Jayalalithaa in the Tansi land deal case and sentences her to three years’ rigorous imprisonment
2000: In November, Madras HC stays the verdict and not the sentence leading to her debarment from contesting Assembly election in 2001 because of three-year RI
2001: AIADMK sweeps Assembly polls. Jayalalithaa, whose nominations in four constituencies are rejected, elected as CM as a non-elected member of the state Assembly on May 14, 2001
2001: On September 21, SC unseats Jayalalithaa holding that disqualified person cannot hold the office of CM
2001: In Dec., Madras HC acquits her of all charges in Tansi & Pleasant Stay hotel case
2002: Jayalalithaa becomes MLA by contesting in Andipatti constituency
2004: AIADMK led alliance losses all the seats in Lok Sabha polls
2006: Jayalalithaa’s party was defeated by DMK in Assembly poll
2011: AIADMK makes a comeback by sweeping to power in the Assembly
2014: AIADMK wins 37 seats in Lok Sabha on its own
2014: On September 27, Jayalalithaa is convicted in disproportionate asset case and sentenced to four-year imprisonment
2015: On May 11, Karnataka high court acquits Jayalalithaa and others in disproportionate asset case
