Congress hails SC verdict on Sasikala, accuses TN Guv of causing 'instability'

Welcoming the verdict given by the Supreme Court convicting AIADMK General Secretary V. K. Sasikala in connection with the 19-year old disproportionate assets case, the Congress on Wednesday emphasized on the instability spreading in Tamil Nadu due to Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao's delay in actions.

"The court judgment has come and we welcome it. It is a clear-cut judgment against the corruption and corrupt parties prevailing in the country. It is probably a warning to all the parties and people in the country," Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI.

He added that the confusion in Tamil Nadu is also almost over now with this judgment.

"The assembly should be immediately convened and a vote of confidence should be taken. Tamil Nadu should immediately get a stable government. Delaying by the governor has created some instability, that's the fact," Chakco said.

He further said that this instability happened due to two reasons; one is O. Panneerselvam's resignation and the election of the new leader. Second is, action not taken at the proper time by the Governor.

"The Governor should have asked the acting Chief Minister to convene the assembly and take a vote of confidence. That is the constitutional responsibility of the governor, which he did not do. Instead of going from Delhi to Chennai, he went to Mumbai, delaying the process," he stated.

Chacko further said that the apex court decision has put a full stop to all this. Now there is no other option before the Governor other than calling an immediate assembly and deciding the majority of who has got the confidence of the House.

Setting aside on earlier Karnataka High Court order, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted Sasikala in connection with a 19-year old disproportionate assets case.

She has been ordered to surrender to the law enforcement authorities immediately to serve the remainder of her four-year jail term.

She also will not be able to contest elections for 10 years or hold public office.

The verdict comes in the backdrop of the ongoing power struggle within the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu - between Sasikala and the incumbent Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.

The pending disproportionate assets case that posed a legal hurdle against Sasikala's taking over as the Chief Minister dates back to 1996. Late J. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and her two relatives, Ilavarasi and Sudhagaran, were convicted in the case that alleged that the former chief minister owned assets far exceeding her known sources of income.