AIADMK workers continue 'silent protest' in support of Jayalalithaa

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) workers on Sunday continued with their 'silent protest' in support of their party leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.

The supporters also performed special prayers for the release of Jayalalithaa, who is currently serving time in jail after being pronounced guilty in the disproportionate assets case.

AIADMK ministers and legislatures in Chennai have been protesting every day in various ways to show their displeasure over the former chief minister's arrest.

AIADMK councilor, M.M. Babu, said prayers and the wishes of the down trodden of the society will help Jayalalithaa's release.

"She has provided all sorts of help to the down trodden and neglected people of the society. Therefore, I believe that their wishes will always be with her," said Babu.

Jayalalithaa, one of the most popular politicians in southern India, was sentenced last month to four years in jail in a high-profile corruption case that has lasted nearly two decades.

Supporters and leaders of AIADMK formed a human chain alongside the street of Marina Beach in Chennai, alleging the verdict was a political conspiracy.

A special court in Bangalore found Jayalalithaa guilty of "disproportionately" amassing about Rs 66 crores outside her known sources of income.

The court also fined the four-time chief minister Rs 100 crores, which will be taken from the properties that have already been seized by the court.

Jayalalithaa was legally obliged to step down as the head of Tamil Nadu, which she has governed since 2011 under her latest term.

Meanwhile, O. Paneerselvam, a former chief minister from the same party, took oath as the next state chief of Tamil Nadu on September 28.