Remove Jayalalithaa photos, Opposition Leader urges Chief Secretary

Citing the damning observations of the Supreme Court against Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case verdict, Stalin took serious exception to the participation of Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and bureaucrats in the tree plantation drive organised to celebrate Jayalalithaa’s 69th birth anniversary on Friday. 

He said, “Jayalalithaa was convicted (in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case). Already there are some schemes in her name and the government should not allow new schemes to be named after her.” Referring to the presence of her portrait at the Secretariat, Ministers’ rooms and local body offices, the Leader of Opposition threatened to move the Court if their demand goes unheeded. 

“Not just (some) elected representatives but people also are opposing this and it could lead to a law and order problem,” said Stalin who also made a representation in this regard to state chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, who, he claimed, had assured to consider it. 

Stalin also wanted the scheme named after her to be renamed. He also asserted that the future generations would lose faith in democracy if the government popularises a convict and names schemes after her. 

Later, Stalin issued another statement seeking the intervention of Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to prevent police excesses against DMK MLAs and laymen who air views about the mysteries shrouding the dead of Jayalalithaa. 

He was referring to an incident in which his party MLA Meyyanathan was prevented from participating in a local function by the police allegedly at the behest of Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar and the arrest of nutritionist Geetha for raising doubts.