Big political setback for Jayalalithaa: BJP leader

A special court verdict Saturday holding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa guilty in a disproportionate assets case is a big political setback for her and her party the AIADMK, a BJP leader said.

"It is a big setback for Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK party. She may not be an AIADMK electoral candidate for a long time. The disqualification will be effective for six years," BJP secretary H. Raja told IANS.

He said it gives an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu to provide an alternative.

Jayalalithaa was convicted Saturday in a Rs.66 crore disproportionate assets case by the special court in Bangalore. Following this, she is disqualified as a member of the Tamil Nadu assembly.

After an 18-year court battle, judge John Michael Cunha convicted 66-year old Jayalalithaa, who is general secretary of the AIADMK.

Raja said all the parties should accept the verdict and there should be no violence in the state.

"If there is violence following the verdict, then it is clear that there is a failure of law and order situation," Raja said.

Reacting to the court judgement, DMK spokesperson T.K.S.Elangovan told a television channel that though justice was delayed for so many years it was not denied.

He said the DMK party was accused of filing false charges due to political vendetta. With the court's decision it is clear that the party has not filed any false charges.

T.K.Rangarajan, Rajya Sabha MP belonging to the CPI(M) told IANS: "The court has done its job. But the judicial systems should be speeded up so that cases are solved at the earliest."