Thiruvannamalai: The High Court order setting aside the election of AIADMK's A. K. Bose at Tirupparankundram has confirmed his persistent demand for comprehensive probe into Jayalalithaa's death, DMK president M K Stalin said on Saturday.
Addressing a mammoth rally here in support of his party's Lok Sabha candidate C N Annadurai, Stalin referred to the HC order delivered on Friday, wherein Justice P Velmurugan had raised serious doubts whether the thumb impressions on Bose's nomination papers were that of Jayalalithaa and whether she had affixed them consciously.
"Now, does this High Court order not confirm the need for a comprehensive investigation (into Jayalalithaa's death)? The deceased person was the Chief Minister, not just an ordinary person", Stalin asked, even as the massive gathering roared its approval.
Significantly, Justice Velmurugan has said in his Friday order, "It is fortunate for the returned candidate and all the persons who aided and assisted him that Jayalalithaa is not more. At least, if she was alive, this court could have extracted the truth regarding the thumb impressions affixed in Forms A and B".
Elaborating on the suspicions surrounding Jayalalithaa's death, Stalin pointed out that it was none other than AIADMK senior O Panneerselvam who was among the first to raise the doubts and demand comprehensive probe, soon after Sasikala sacked him as CM and gave the post to 'slavish' Palaniswami. "OPS went to Amma's memorial and sat in silent meditation, even spoke to her spirit, telling her there was conspiracy in her death and it must be probed".
And OPS continued with his revolt but then, Naren-dra Modi stepped in with his katta-panchayat initiative to patch up, alleged Stalin, adding that the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission constituted as part of that EPS-OPS deal "is a drama, a farce".
Pointing out that he had been repeatedly demanding comprehensive probe into Jayalalithaa's death, Stalin said, "There might have been differences between us, but we will remain steadfast in the demand for comprehensive probe into her death. "We will come to power soon and when that happens, while we will unfold several schemes for solving the people's problems, we will also order thorough investigation of Jayalalithaa's death and ensure that all those responsible are sent to jail.
"This will be Stalin's first job. And when I say this, I am sure that the true cadres of the AIADMK will be very happy too", said the DMK chief.
He said the promise could be delivered sooner than expected as the April 18 by-elections in 18 Assembly constituencies-even assuming that the EC refuses to notify elections for the remaining four vacant seats-"will surely deliver 100 per cent success for the DMK and there will be no more chance of Edappadi Palaniswami continuing in power".
