Be calm, Tamil Nadu CM tells Jaya supporters

Soon after the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday denied bail to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam appealed to people not to resort to strike or any other form of protest to express solidarity with the former CM, as she would not like to cause inconvenience to the common man.

“Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (revolutionary mother) will not like any activity that will cause inconvenience to the general public,” Paneerselvam said, adding that no one should resort to closure of shops, strike or any other similar activities.

Stressing that only an approach of eschewing protest would reflect their love and support for Jayalalithaa, he urged people to engage themselves in attaining the growth goals set out in the ‘Vision 2023’ and 2014 Industrial Policy.

Hitting out at opposition parties for indulging in a “vicious campaign” on the law and order front to gain political mileage, he asserted in a statement here that the law and order situation is normal and people’s routine was not affected.

A high-level meeting of top officials and ministers was held today and law and order and development goals were deliberated. “It is not acceptable to link the State Government with the protests carried out by outfits and the people. Such protests are voluntary, driven by emotion and out of love for AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa,” he added.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to direct the CM to maintain law and order.

In a statement here, Swamy charged Paneerselvam of being passive when it came to the question of his party forcing transport services and all schools including private schools to remain closed for today.

“The Madras High Court had to intervene to prevent this atrocity on students that has been committed in the name of loyalty to the former Chief Minister, who is in jail in Bangalore,” he added.

“Hence, if the Chief Minister is not ready to discharge his responsibilities that he swore to it on oath of office to perform his constitutional duties, the failure to obey the directive under Article 256 of the Constitution sent by the Union Home Minister would invite the consequences of President’s rule under Article 356,” Swamy said.

He also urged the Centre to dispatch paramilitary forces in strength to Tamil Nadu to assist the State police if they are not able to maintain law and order.

The reports about the Special Public Prosecutor not objecting to bail for Jayalalithaa triggered celebrations among party workers across Tamil Nadu before disappointment struck them following news of rejection of her plea for the relief.

AIADMK workers and Jayalalithaa supporters, who were waiting with bated breath for the high court verdict, believed the grant of bail to be true as the “news” was flashed by the party-backed Jaya TV as also by several other channels and news portals.

However, soon after they learnt that the high court has rejected the bail, angry party workers sat on the road leading to Poes Garden, Jayalalithaa’s residence, and raised slogans, demanding her release. Several news channels and portals had reported that the former CM and the three other accused have been granted conditional bail, only to retract it after the court rejected the plea.

Meanwhile, a wall poster put out by expelled AIADMK party man KC Vijay here threatening Kannadigas living in Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa is not released from jail created a flutter and the party sought to distance itself from the row.

The party said the poster was put on display without its sanction and stressed that it stood committed to the welfare of all sections of people.

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