As Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy of the Supreme Court read out their verdict in the high-profile Disproportionate Assets case, not only were they ruling on the political future of VK Sasikala, but also the legacy of J Jayalalithaa.
As Tamil Nadu now turns its attention to how Sasikala and O Panneerselvam will outdo each other in the ongoing political crisis, let's remember that the Supreme Court effectively also held Jayalalithaa guilty of corruption, and holding disproportionate assets.
While pronouncing the verdict, Justice PC Ghose said that while the trial court order against A2, A3 and A4 (Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran) is restored – effectively holding them guilty and imposing the Rs 10 crore fine on them – he stated that the case against Jayalalithaa had 'abated'.
Since Jayalalithaa is dead, she cannot be declared a convict, but by abating the case against her and holding the others guilty, the court has effectively pronounced her guilty.
Caught in a Dilemma Over Amma's Legacy
While loyalists of interim Chief Minister O Panneerselvam are rejoicing at Sasikala's conviction, they are caught in a dilemma over the legacy of Amma.
The loyalists, however, maintain that the former chief minister was a victim of wrong doings by others.
With AIADMK criticising the celebration by supporters of Pannerselvam and questioning whether they were rejoicing the verdict in the case in which Jayalalithaa was also indicted, the rebels contended that her name was misused by others for which she cannot be faulted.
I defend my leader late Jayalalithaa. She was a charismatic leader. We had worked with her for many years. We knew her very well. She had always worked only for the people’s welfare.S Semmalai, Veteran AIADMK Leader and Former Minister
Asked about the verdict indicting Jayalalithaa, he declined to be drawn into the nitty-gritty of the verdict, stating that he was yet to fully go into it, even while standing behind 'Amma'.
Jayalalithaa was a leader with the pure heart of a child, who could do no wrongs, and she had always been interested only in helping people.
Former MLA and another Panneerselvam follower, RM Babu Murugavel said:
Jayalalithaa was a victim. The verdict has strengthened our conviction that late Chief Minister was made a scapegoat (in the case).
Panneerselvam has not commented on the verdict so far even while appealing to AIADMK MLAs to sink differences and support him for continuance of "Amma's government" led by him.
DMK working president MK Stalin said that when the trial court gave its verdict in 2014, AIADMK men had labelled it as a result of conspiracy by his party.
"All those who were against the trial court verdict are today distributing sweets," he had said.
Legal experts further point out that if not for her complicity in the corruption, there could not have been a 'conspiracy' by the other three accused for which they have been convicted.
That Jayalalithaa has been pronounced guilty deals a body blow to her legacy and to the AIADMK. Known to have been touchy about her image throughout her political life, she took every effort to maintain that she was not corrupt, and only a victim of the DMK’s political conspiracy.
But after her death, the Supreme Court has effected a finality to her image: She was a corrupt chief minister.
But in her guilt, Sasikala also finds a leader who she can lay the blame on. It is very likely that she will now point out that all she did was for Jayalalithaa, and that both of them are victims of DMK's politicking.
(With inputs from The News Minute, PTI)
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