Jayalalithaa Isolates Herself in Jail, Bail Verdict on Tuesday

NEW DELHI: They have been committing suicide, they have not eaten for days, they have struck work, they have torched buildings and vehicles, and they cry at the drop of a hat as they await the court verdict on the bail petition of AIADMK leader J.Jayalalithaa on Tuesday.

The Amma supporters have ensured that the state comes to a standstill as well by making the schools and colleges shut down in protest as well. Various school and college associations were moved to order the closure leaving parents, teachers and the opposition parties shocked over the decision to drag students into party politics.

Jayalalithaa meanwhile has isolated herself in the central jail in Parappana Agrahara in Bangalore where she has been lodged. She refused to meet chief minister O.Panneerselvam who has been virtually camping in the city in a bid to meet her. She is reportedly extremely upset and clearly draws no consolation from the fact that Tamil Nadu and even Bangalore to some extent has been paralysed by her supporters, with party workers crying openly and emotionally at the drop of a hat.

Clearly the AIADMK leader does not want to replace her image of the authoritarian chief minister in complete command with that of a prisoner in jail.

Bail will allow her to return home, but life for the powerful woman of Tamil Nadu will now be confined to a series of court appearances in a state not being run by a friendly government. Her political career is well nigh over and she will not be able to contest elections, or for that matter go back to being chief minister again.

It is thus, not without reason that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat identified Tamil Nadu as one of the states of interest. DMK has aged with its leader Karunanidhi, and as reported earlier by The Citizen, its not in fighting shape because of the severe feud within. The BJP is thus now in the happy position of a party looking into the state with considerable optimism, although it remains to be seen if Tamil affections can be secured by an essentially north Indian party. But this will not be for want of trying.

However, as AIADMK supporters are quick to point out, the story is not over yet. And will begin anew after Jayalalithaa secures bail and is able to return to the state. However, others do not rule out the possibility of further splits in the party, and a withering away that they feel would be hastened by Jayalalithaa herself.