With Sasikala facing jail time, Tamil Nadu faces biggest political upheaval
Supreme Court of India has convicted VK Sasikala, the CM-in-waiting in Tamil Nadu, who was appointed as the chief of the AIADMK legislature party, in the disproportionate assets case. Sasikala now faces jail time for four years and stands disqualified from contesting elections for 10 years.
#SasikalaDDaySupreme Court convicts #VKSasikala in disproportionate assets case.#ITVideo pic.twitter.com/x2oYb1fSjq
— India Today (@IndiaToday) February 14, 2017
BOOM! Sasikala convicted. Supreme Court sets aside Karnataka HC verdict.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 14, 2017
In effect, this paves the way for O Panneerselvam to pass the floor test in Tamil Nadu Assembly and continue as the state CM. However, the MLAs who were kept huddled at the Golden Bay resort by Sasikala, would have an embarrassing time explaining themselves for not joining the OPS camp sooner.
Both judges convict #sasikala.
— T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) February 14, 2017
The new #Chennai Super King #Panneerselvam
— T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) February 14, 2017
Reports are pouring in of absolute silence in Poes Garden, where Sasikala has been residing after Jayalalithaa's demise on December 6, 2016. Sasikala can still file a review petition against the SC overturning of Karnataka high court in Bangalore, and after that a possible curative petition. But legal experts concede that not much is likely to happen on those fronts because the 2,000-page judgement given out by the SC is both comprehensive and decisive.
SC was spot on in convicting Sasikala given scale of evidence; maintain governor was wrong in waiting for judgement. #Sasikala
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 14, 2017
Should question be asked: what was Ktaka high court doing in exonerating Jayalalithaa and Sasikala despite the evidence? #DACase
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 14, 2017
The other big qs now: can Sasikala get her own nominee as CM and run TN from jail a la Jayalalithaa or will OPS get the nos now? #DACase
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 14, 2017
Riot police has been moved in at Golden Bays resort to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of Sasikala's emotional realisation that her political career has been basically still-born.
Everyone just waiting. Police, media, aiadmk cadres. Things are calm. @thenewsminute pic.twitter.com/NhvQ8n8zZf
— Anna Isaac (@anna_isaac) February 14, 2017
Subramanian Swamy, who had filed the petition against both Jayalalithaa and Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case, has echoed the SC judges in saying that corruption must be fought to the last nail.
After 20 years I won. Now turn of TDK Buddhu PC BC & Tata to join in jail
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 14, 2017
#SasikalaConvicted.@Swamy39 speaks out on SC's judgement in Disproportionate Assets case.#ITVideo pic.twitter.com/9VlviZeHsH
— India Today (@IndiaToday) February 14, 2017
O Panneerselvam too has tweeted out through his unofficial handle saying Tamil Nadu has been "saved" with Sasikala's conviction, given the major public resentment against her.
மக்களின் நம்பிக்கையைக் கொன்றவர்கள் இவர்கள். எந்தவித சலுகையும் காட்டக்கூடாது- நீதிபதிகள் கண்டிப்பு #TNSaved
— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 14, 2017
#TNSaved pic.twitter.com/OzYns1WqQl
— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 14, 2017
Earlier, a Twitter poll conducted by OPS had shown overwhelming support for him to continue as the Tamil Nadu CM. The public antipathy towards Sasikala has been more than evident, even though she had more MLAs, and could have passed the floor test if Tamil Nadu governor S Vidyasagar Rao kept delaying the swearing-in ceremony, flouting constitutional norms according to most experts.
People's survey. Should hon CM continue the post to lead TamilNadu?
— திரு O. Pannerselvam (@CMOTamilNadu) February 7, 2017
Sasikala had even appealed to her "womanhood" saying she's being targeted for being a woman, but this fell flat as Tamil Nadu's revering of Jayalalithaa stood in stark contrast. Because of Jaya's death, the judgment hasn't pronounced anything in particular on the late Amma herself, but by deduction, it is obvious that she too would have been pronounced guilty by SC, forcing her to step down as the Tamil Nadu CM.
Disagree, sir. Governors have no such powers & he (presumably) had no prior knowledge of SC verdict. Governor had set an awful precedent https://t.co/0UkAjHEX8g
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 14, 2017
Memorial of Amma? She's been convicted for corruption too. In fact she is the primary thief, #Sasikala is a mere partner in Amma's crime https://t.co/nogtyynH7R
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 14, 2017
The next course of action in Tamil Nadu remains split, even though things do look brighter for OPS as of now. But in case Sasikala appoints a CM nominee, and MLAs gather behind that person, then once again OPS would have to go through the rigours of finding enough MLAs who support him in the floor of the house.
The impact on Tamil Madu politics aside, the two honourable judges - PC Ghose and Amitava Roy - have given a bold and decisive verdict against corruption in public life, particularly the unlawful amassing of wealth through public office, should be taken very seriously by everyone in active politics, particularly the political parties.
However, for the moment, Team OPS can rejoice and enjoy the celebrations in Tamil Nadu.