Just a day before the RK Nagar by-election, the TTV Dhinakaran camp of AIADMK (Sasikala) faction in Tamil Nadu has reportedly released an alleged video of late Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s last days in Apollo Hospital in Chennai. While the veracity of the video is yet to be ascertained, the Election Commission has declared that the video stands in violation with the code of conduct.
The release of the Jayalalithaa video is a violation of Section 126 1(b) of the Representation of People’s Act, and the penalty is two years of imprisonment.Rajesh Lakhoni, Chief Electoral Officer, TN to The Quint
The Election Commission has said that they will first take action on Vetrivel, member of the TTV camp who has released the video, and will further investigate if TTV Dhinakaran has been responsible.
The video shows Jayalalithaa sitting up on a hospital bed and presumably watching TV while sipping on some juice.
The video clip has already gone viral because of media channels and social media platforms. The EC has urged all media houses to stop telecasting the video as the content can directly or indirectly impact the elections and the voters' choice.
Sources close to TTV Dhinakaran are denying that Vetrivel had sought permission from TTV Dhinakaran or Sasikala for releasing the video.
However, the opposition camps are raising some serious concerns.
The Timing Is Suspect: DMK
The main opposition party DMK has called out the video as a stunt pulled by the TTV faction in the last minute to garner votes. Though they are confident the voters who believe in DMK will continue to stand by them, they believe the Election Commission should take stringent action.
The timing is suspect. It is aimed only at the bypoll. They are not trying to prove anything else as this video is not going to solve any of the mysteries over the death of Jayalalithaa. What the election commission is saying is a joke. The whole thing is so vicious.Saravanan, DMK Spokesperson
Just yesterday, when working president MK Stalin was canvassing for his candidate Maruthu Ganesh on the last day of campaign at RK Nagar, he vowed to unravel the "mystery" behind the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The state government had appointed a one-man commission of inquiry to probe into the circumstances leading to her hospitalisation on 22 September 2016 and treatment provided till her demise. But the opposition blames the commission saying there has been no progress made so far. MK Stalin also expressed his shock over how the faction has politicised even Jayalalithaa's death.
If they wanted to clear their name, they should’ve done this sometime earlier when our leader MK Stalin had asked for a video. They criticised him, badmouthed him and asked what about the dignity of the lady...but what happened now? There is no investigation. It’s only an inquiry commission which is like a toothless tiger.Saravanan, DMK Spokesperson
A Clear Plot to Win Elections Tomorrow: AIADMK
The AIADMK has condemned the release of the video questioning its authenticity. Jayakumar, the Fisheries Minister said that Jayalalithaa was someone with Z+ security and when no ministers from all over the country were allowed to visit the leader, who could’ve shot the video. He added that if the TTV camp was sitting on imporatant evidence, the right thing to do would have been to submit it to the investigation committee and not share with media.
There is no clarity as to when this video was taken. With the election happening tomorrow, it is not right to release the video today. As soon as the probe committee was constituted why wasn’t this video submitted to them ?Jayakumar, Fisheries Minister, AIADMK
TTV camp aide Vetrivel had reportedly said that they found a poster in RK Nagar which held Saskiala and family responsible for the death of the former chief minister and they had released this video to dispell all rumours. The AIAMDK minister brushed these allegations and said the behaviour was unacceptable.
When Jayalalithaa was alive, she was troubled by Sasikala and family. And today with the intention of winning the election, they have once again troubled Amma. All these are just reasons to release the video one day before the elections.Jayakumar, Fisheries Minister, AIADMK
Lot of Factors to Influence the Voter at Play
The musical chairs to fill that one seat that’s been empty for over a year now, is all set to begin. Whoever grabs it will be inevitably compared with Jayalalithaa, whose constituency it was.
Will this video influence voters and tilt the balance in TTV Dhinakaran's favour?
The 2G scam verdict, which involves many top leaders of DMK, will be announced on Thursday morning, 21 December. Will that leave a dent in the vote bank?
The voting begins tomorrow and the counting is scheduled for 24th December, Sunday.
All eyes are on RK Nagar as voters decide on a Thalaivar or Thalaivi to head the assembly constituency.
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