Chennai: There was no laughter, not even a smile; there were no crackers and no sweets. And the crowd was sparse, just enough to record the event as the ruling AIADMK on Monday 'celebrated' its 45th anniversary.
The frown on the glum faces gathered at party headquarters on Avvai Shanmugam Salai here said it all, 'how can we celebrate when Amma is in hospital?'
This time, the party organ 'Namadhu MGR' had only 18 full-page advertisements relating to the anniversary; all of them by various ministers had near-identical proclamations in Tamil-in English that would translate as, 'On this special day when the party celebrates 45th anniversary under the incomparable leadership of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, let us take pledge to ensure that her good government will continue'.
On happier anniversary occasions, the paper had special supplements running to over 100 pages flooded with everyone who mattered in the party and the government inserting advertisements hailing Jayalalithaa and her governance.
Party presidium chairman E. Madhusudanan hoisted the AIADMK flag after garlanding the statue of founder MGR at the entrance of the headquarters. He then released the anniversary souvenir, the first copy of which was received by S. Anbazhagan, a former MP. A few ministers did not turn up at the function which lasted less than 20 minutes.
