Big setback for Jayalalithaa: BJP leader

A special court verdict Saturday, holding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa guilty, is a big political setback for her and her party 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 asset case by the special court here. Following this, she is disqualified as a member of 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 the Tamil Nadu government will go on till 2016 but people will lose faith in it.

The DMK is also on its low ebb and people have lost faith in it.

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.