S Ramadoss demands removal of Jayalalithaa's portraits from govt offices

Chennai: PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Wednesday demanded the removal of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's portraits from government offices since the special court judge Micheal Cunha's verdict had been totally upheld by the Supreme Court.

Ramadoss asked the state government to cooperate for the seizure of Jayalalithaa’s ill-gotten wealth by the Bangalore special court. He said the judgment had confirmed that the former Chief Minister had amassed wealth using her position and those who abetted the crime had been punished. The PMK leader sought the opinion of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on the judgment against Jayalalithaa and said her portrait should not be unveiled in the Assembly.

Since, Panneerselvam is claiming to oppose corruption, he should welcome the verdict, Ramadoss said. Citing Panneerselvam's statement that he would continue the works of Jayalalithaa, Ramadoss said the Chief Minister should explain the meaning of his statement.

He asked if Panneerselvam wanted to continue the corrupt activities and said the honour that is given to a former Chief Ministers should not be given to Jayalalithaa and asserted that she should be seen as a convict.

Ramadoss strongly opposed celebrating the birth and death anniversary of Jayalalithaa and a memorial should not be constructed at her burial place. He said Panneerselvam should not show himself as a Jayalalithaa loyalist and claim to oppose corruption.