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The verdict is out. What next? While there is no official word yet, it is likely that J Jayalalithaa will take over the reins of the Tamil Nadu government some time this week.
According to political sources, including the opposition, Jayalalithaa is expected to take over as Chief Minister of the State on May 17.
Once she is sworn in, the government will resume the Budget session with demands for grants to various departments being taken up.
An administrative revamp could also be on the cards as Jayalalithaa reasserts her reputation for speedy decision-making, say sources.
According to observers of the Tamil Nadu economy, Jayalithaa will move quickly on clearing projects to blunt the charges of inaction over the last seven months.
Investment meet First off the block could be inauguration of the Chennai Metro Rail followed by the much touted Global Investors' Meet scheduled for September.
But on the political front speculation is rife.
According to some sections, while she has six months to get herself elected, it is also possible a confident Jayalalithaa may advance the Assembly elections scheduled for 2016. The ruling party may face the elections alone as it did in the 2014 Parliamentary election.
A senior opposition party leader said that the surprise decision by the High Court will unite the opposition parties.
The rival DMK may try to ally with parties other than the Congress and the BJP. But with DMK leaders under the shadow of the 2G scam it is not likely to pose a threat to the ruling party.
The Congress and the Vijayakanth-led DMDK are also moving closer.
According to a legal expert, there are no issues against Jayalalithaa taking over as the Chief Minister as the acquittal does away with any disqualification.
Even if the prosecution appeals to the Supreme Court, she is free to resume office unless there is a direction to the contrary by the apex court.
No case under appeal Since the High Court has overturned her conviction by the lower court, there is effectively no case under appeal.
But technically, there is also the remote chance that the Supreme Court, on appeal, stays the order of the High Court in which case her conviction stands, the expert said. And then it’s back to square one.
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