Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of trying to defame and malign her image to put an end to her political career.
“DMK didn’t win electorally so they tried to put an end to my career through other ways, finally justice has prevailed. I recall with sorrow the demise of 233 party cadres, who lost their lives after a special court delivered its verdict on my sentence,” said Jayalalithaa in a statement.
“It’s a victory for justice and defeat for those who had conspired to defame and malign my legacy and the legacy of my mentor. I don’t take it as a victory for me, but a victory for truth and victory for the people of Tamil Nadu. I thank the people of Tamil Nadu for reposing faith in me and I thank God for the gift of people’s love,” she added.
Jayalalithaa was today acquitted by the Karnataka High Court in the disproportionate assets case against her. The verdict came on the appeal filed by Jayalalithaa and three others, including her aide Sasikala in the case.
Today’s judicial outcome is a major setback to the opposition DMK and is expected to swing political fortunes in favour of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, which goes to assembly polls in about a year.
A trial court had on September 27 last year verdict sentenced Jayalalithaa and three others to four years in jail and imposed a hefty fine of Rs. 100 crore on her and Rs. 10 crore each on three others.
Meanwhile, massive celebrations have broken out across Tamil Nadu following the verdict. The AIA DMK chief’s supporters also bathed her poster with milk. (ANI)