Maneka Gandhi, Rajnikanth welcome release of Jayalalithaa

Jayalalithaa was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Rs 66.65 cr disproportionate assets case on Friday

Actor Rajnikanth today said he was "glad" to see AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa back in her Poes Garden residence after being granted bail in a graft case and wished her good health and peace.

"I am very glad to have you back in Poes Garden. Praying for good times for you. Always wishing you well for good health and peace," he said in a letter to the former Chief Minister. In the letter released by the AIADMK headquarters, he also wished Jayalalithaa Happy Deepavali.

Incidentally, the Tamil icon also resides in the same Poes Garden area. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi also wrote to the former Chief Minister, hoping to see her "formally back at the helm of administration again."

"Expressing her support and sympathy with Jayalalithaa, who stepped out of a Bangalore jail on Saturday after the Supreme Court granted her bail in an illegal assets case, Gandhi said she would be happy to do anything "to make this time less onerous."

"You have been through a great deal of suffering in your life and it is remarkable how you have always managed, through discipline and courage, to overcome the odds against you," she said in the letter released by AIADMK. Gandhi told Jayalalithaa she was sure "this time will be over soon and we will see you formally back at the helm of administration again."

Saying Jayalalithaa had done "remarkable things" for Tamil Nadu, Gandhi wished good health for the 66 year-old leader, adding she had "many admirers across the country."

Jayalalithaa was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on Friday and was released from the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore yesterday.