The AIADMK's political future depends on the crucial verdict
It is D-Day for former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The fate of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief’s appeal against her conviction and four years of jailing by a special court in Bengaluru in the disproportionate assets will be decided by the Karnataka high court on Monday.
It will be a high-stake test as the judicial outcome could swing the political fortunes either way for the ruling AIADMK supremo and alter the political course in the neighbouring state, which will go to Assembly polls in about a year.
If the Karnataka HC acquits her in the case or reduces the sentencing below two years, she can return as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu to lead the party in the assembly election due in May 2016.
If the Karnataka HC upholds the special court order, it is going to be very tough for Jayalalithaa and her party AIADMK, which is ruling Tamil Nadu. It will be a big jolt and she will have to go back to jail.
According to reports, Jayalalithaa, 67, need not be present in the court when the single judge bench of Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy delivers the judgment.
The court will decide on the appeals filed by Jayalalithaa and three others against the Special Court Judge Michael D’Cunha’s September 27 last verdict sentencing them to four years in jail and imposing a hefty fine of Rs 100 crore on her and Rs 10 crore each on three others.
AIADMK workers in Tamil Nadu, are on edge, organising ‘poojas’ in temples and taking out processions praying for a favourable judgment.
A lot of her supporters are also standing outside her residence waiting for good news.
Additionally, anticipating huge crowds, the Bengaluru police has clamped prohibitory orders in one km radius of the High Court from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday besides beefing up security.
