Bail may not restrict Jaya’s political activities

CHENNAI: Though Jayalalithaa’s lawyers focused on her health situation in the Supreme Court, the bail order contains no reference to it. As a result, there may be no legal restriction on her political activities as the leader of AIADMK or the power she would wield over the state government, experts say.
Jayalalithaa’s bail situation cannot be compared with the Chautala case in which the INLD leader was let out on health grounds but was ordered to return to jail due to his active poll campaigning, they add.
AIADMK leaders including the ministers are relieved that she would be available for guidance on important governance issues. “Amma did not meet any minister including Panneerselvam during her time in prison. We were in a very difficult position. We now hope we can meet her and get her instructions whenever needed,” a minister from south Tamil Nadu told TOI on Friday.
Senior officials in the secretariat also expressed similar views. A senior IAS officer said there has been a lot of uncertainty over important administrative decisions and hoped that now there would be more clarity.
Party sources say office space is likely to be created in the Poes Garden area to accommodate the chief minister’s camp office. “The CM’s secretaries can get Amma’s instructions on a daily basis with the office adjacent to her residence,” the minister added.
Political commentator Gnani said Jayalalithaa would continue to remote control the party and the state government through O Panneerselvam and others. “This is not new for the party. Functionally, there is little change in the leadership,” he said.
Senior ministers including Natham R Viswanathan, R Vaithilingam, Edappadi S Palaniswami and S Vijayabaskar reached Bangalore on Friday evening. Panneerselvam did not leave for Bangalore, neither did he come to the secretariat on Friday.
“We thought Amma would be released in the evening. But that has been delayed since the bail formalities are still being finalized. We are eagerly waiting to meet her,” an AIADMK MLA said.