The importance of the health of Tamil Nadu’s ‘beloved’ Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should not be underestimated – her admission to hospital made the situation in Tamil Nadu and the Cauvery Water crisis much more volatile. This issue rumbled on for much longer than I anticipated and dominated the news until Prime Minister Modi announced the demonetisation, an issue which then dominated the news going forward until Chief Minister Jayalalithaa passed away on Monday 5th December. That was then followed by a power struggle and a criminal conviction in 2017. I kept a diary of events as they unfolded- a living history if you like – from an expat viewpoint.
Thursday 22nd September 2016
Alcohol ban still in force. Armed police and service personnel stationed at the entrance to Manyatta Tech Park where Rez works. The Karnataka state is still defying the Supreme Court Order and refusing to release any Cauvery river water. An all party meeting was held on Wednesday evening decided not to release the water until a special session of the legislature on 23rd September has discussed the issue.
The Supreme Court has ordered that a Cauvery Management Board be constituted within 4 weeks. It will be a technical body consisting of irrigation engineers and agronomists, representatives from the states and independent members. This means that when the monsoon rains are in deficit they will be able to adjudicate the sharing of the water. There will never be enough for both states with water intensive crops and rising population in Bangalore.
The headline news read: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa- Tamil Nadu -The Chief Minister for Tamil Nadu was admitted to Apollo Hospitals.
Saturday 1st October
Dr Beale, an internationally renowned specialist and researcher, from London Bridge Hospital in the UK was flown in to examine Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. After examining her he stated she was receiving the best treatment and would be available for consultation for the next few days.
Sunday 9th October
It is two weeks since Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was admitted to hospital and no major policy issues have been taken in her absence by her two trusted advisors. The administration of the government on other issues is proceeding only after consultation and collective agreement. This raises the issue about who will deal with the Cauvery water dispute in her absence from office. The question has not been raised, yet.
Monday 10th October
The Hindu newspaper reports on the historical parallels with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ‘s hospitalisation, the resultant “governmental crisis” and the transfer of power to other ministers as a similar situation occurred 32 years ago.
Wednesday 12th October
All the portfolios held by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa were reallocated to her finance minister yesterday at her request and as the constitution of India allows. Ms Jayalalithaa will continue in her post as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. There was no update on her health from the hospital although she is still undergoing treatment (which was detailed in the newspapers).
Saturday 15th October
A bank clerk and a jewellery appraiser are arrested for making “mocking and adverse remarks” (The Hindu newspaper) about the health of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa (of Tamil Nadu) who is still in hospital, very unwell. The Chief Minister was admitted to hospital on 22nd September. The police has previously arrested 4 people for making derogatory remarks on social media platforms but this was the first time that the police have arrested anyone for making adverse comments in public.
Thursday 20th October
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa (of Tamil Nadu) – After a week of no information, the newspapers reported that the Chief Minister remains under close observation by a team of doctors and continues to remain on respiratory support whilst receiving passive physiotherapy.
Monday 14th November
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms Jayalalitha, wrote from hospital to her party stating she hoped to be fully recovered and returning to work. This is the first letter to her party since being admitted to hospital 30 days ago. Rumours have circulated about the state of her health so this will come as a welcome sign to many.
Sunday 4th December
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest this evening. The news bulletins sent messages to mobile phones and the Indian news stations reported that she had been moved into intensive care. Chennai riot police were put on notice and security across Tamil Nadu was tightened. This is because she is a very beloved Chief Minister who has helped the poor and the fear is that there will be rioting and suicides as the poor lose hope.
Monday 5th December
Zahra left on a school trip to Yercaud in Tamil Nadu for three days. From early morning some parents were posting concerns on the class Whatsapp group as to whether the trip should be cancelled in light of security concerns. It was astonishing the level of panic being created. The school has security measures (and a child protection policy) in place and the hotel is in a secure compound with guarded gates, in the hills. I reflected on the cultural differences in dealing with the situation.
At 4:40pm the parent Whatsapp group sprung into action again and at 5.50pm a parent posted a rumour, as fact, that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa had passed away. No news stations were reporting this and the hospital had tweeted a few minutes earlier that she was still alive, so it was challenged. Only when challenged was it stated as coming from another Whatsapp group and then went on to say that she “would seriously consider calling off the trip” and went on to disparage the people of Tamil Nadu and finished with “AS A PRECAUTION I would advise to call the trip off!”. The cultural differences between India and the U.K. were never more obvious than in this series of Whatsapp messages. I was irritated that another parent should be shouting at me via Whatsapp and telling me what I should do as regards my own child.
At 9pm the primary school principal emailed P8 parents with an update on the field trip at the Lake Forest Hotel in Yercaud, Tamil Nadu. (The hotel is in a quiet, rural location). He confirmed that the teachers and organisers on site were consulting with the Yercaud and Salem police force and receiving hourly updates from the Superintendent of Salem. The hotel was “currently” assessed to be very safe and the security had been doubled at the resort as a precautionary measure. They were closely monitoring the safe access routes for the return to Bengaluru. They also were considering sending additional school vehicles to assess the routes in advance of the buses carrying students. It was reassuring that they were receiving regular updates and taking precautionary measures to keep the children safe. The pictures from the trip showed the children happily enjoying the activities.
Later that night the news bulletins reported that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had passed away at 11.30pm.
Tuesday 6th December
At 1am another parent posted on the parent Whatsapp group confirming that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had passed away. Again I noted the differences between the UK and India. It is generally accepted in the U.K. that contacting someone after 9pm at night is for urgent or emergencies only, unless you are a family member. Anyone contacting you after 11pm at night is considered urgent or an emergency. This message would not have been considered to be within those categories.
At 6:35am we received another email update from the primary principal confirming that Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu had passed away, which may cause some disruption on the roads. As well as the hourly updates from the Superintendent in Salem and the police force in Yercaud, they were closely monitoring the road situation. The children were continuing with their activities in the resort and visit the outdoor activity centre (about 5 minutes drive from the hotel) if it was deemed safe to do by the local police.
Then again at 9:45am another update was received.
The organisers and teachers were determining the best time to leave the hotel and return to school; not making the decision to return until they had verified, accurate information that the route home was clear. In liaison with the local police, they had arranged for Tamil Nadu number plates to be fixed to the buses for the passage of travel through Tamil Nadu. This is necessary as vehicles with Kannada plates were attacked during the Cauvery water dispute. They dispatched an additional vehicle with the Transport Coordinator and another staff member to the hotel. The plan was for them to travel ahead of the students on the return journey to ensure that the route was clear and safe.
I’ve been hearing the sound of drums on and off for periods all morning. NDTV is broadcasting mainly from Tamil Nadu (with an anchor in the studio) and providing a running commentary on events there, including the funeral. The Hindu newspaper has pages dedicated to her work and life. She did so much to lift the poor of Tamil Nadu out of poverty. She is so revered as a movie star and as able and strong politician.
Bus services were suspended between Tamil Nadu and Bangalore as security was stepped up at the border in anticipation of violence erupting. There had already been stone pelting incidents at threee buses.
We received another update from school at 5:30pm. They were planning to leave the Lake Forest Hotel in Yercaud at 4.30am on Wednesday 7th December, with a decoy scout vehicle going ahead of them. The students are travelling through Salem very early in the morning and then plan to follow a route that avoids other larger towns. The organisers and teachers were continuing to be in close contact with the local police and during the journey they called ahead to police checkpoints, toll checkpoints and the border checkpoint to ensure clear passage.
The children were blissfully unaware of the issues and were happily engaging in activities at the hotel, instead of the outward bound centre. They had been informed of the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa death and were told that out of respect they would not be undertaking outward bound activities that day.
Wednesday 7th December
We received an update from school at 6:15am advising us that they had left the camp earlier that morning and had already passed through Salem, making good time as the roads were clear. Zahra later told us that they left the hotel at 3am and had packed the night before, got up and slept in the bus.
The PTA had a bake sale on at school that day so I was due to be at school from 7:30am anyway. I would be there when they returned. They arrived back at 9:10am and I have never been so relieved to see my daughter.
Thursday 8th December
Huge memorial posters have appeared all over the centre of Bangalore of the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa regarding her “sad demise”. The Hindu newspaper continues to dedicate pages to her questioning the sudden downturn in her health and also asking whether she left a will.
An article was circulating on FB questioning why there were no photographs taken in hospital of her being treated. The huge invasion of privacy that would have created does not seem to matter to people who believe the rumours and false reports that the Chief Minister was poisoned and the hospital have kept her death quiet for weeks. It really is incredulous that people believe this; it is even more incredulous that educated individuals would circulate and ‘like’ such utter claptrap on FB. When I challenged why a medical professional would do this and for what benefit, there was a bemused response. When I pointed out that consequences of her death would be the same a month ago, or a week ago or a day ago I was met with a blank face. The complete acceptance of a false rumour without thinking about or challenging the information was frustrating in the least.
Friday 9th December
As Jayalalithaa lay in state the future of the AIADMK and the future of the Dravidian parties was being discussed in the media. Politics in Tamil Nadu is now in a state of flux. It is difficult to predict the future political make up of the state and the affect may have on Indian politics in general.
The Tamil Nadu politics has been progressive – the state produces leaders in social inclusion, geneder equality and inclusive democracy which are not matched elsewhere in India. It’s 39 MPs are said to often decide who rules in Dehli. No national party has been able to make inroads into the Tamil Nadu state. Many of them simply cannot voice strong enough views on the Cauvery River water dispute for example. The AIADMK appeal to the Dalits who are 21% of the population of Tamil Nadu; other parties will have to adapt to match that same appeal.
Saturday 10th December
A section of leaders in the AIADMK party has openly supported and promoted the idea that VK Sasikala is the natural political heir to Jayalalithaa. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has met with her for several hours and she summoned several senior leaders, ministers, bureaucrats and police officers to her residence in Poes Garden.
Wednesday 8th February 2017
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced he was compelled to resign following a revolt and general secretary VK Sasikala dismissed him from the post of party treasurer and appointed someone else in his place. There was a meeting held with members of the legislative assembly which did not notify Mr O Panneerselvam of the meeting. Supporters turned up at his residence.
There seems to be a power struggle going on between the trusted advisors to the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa – O Panneerselvam and her long term confidant and advisor VK Sasikala (who is subject to a disproportionate assets case at the Supreme Court).
Thursday 9th February
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam revolted against the ruling AIADMK* leadership. Members of the legislative assembly (MLA), MPs and officers of the party rallied around VK Sasikala.
Separately Mr Panneerselvam announced a judicial inquiry into the treatment administered to former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
Friday 10th February
There’s a power struggle going on between Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and AIADMK General Secretary V.K.Sasikala; the latter who was the best friend of Jayalalithaa and lived with her. O.Pannerselvam resigned on 5th February. Both were called to a meeting with the Governor on Thursday evening (9th February). Nothing is resolved. Social media is awash with campaigns for both people.
Saturday 11th February
The governor of Tamil Nadu has indicated in a report that he is waiting for the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing regarding the disproportionate assets case against Ms Sasikala. This is interesting as Ms Sasikala is not an elected member of the assembly – so how she can become Chief Minister is a mystery to me, but I am no expert in Indian politics. There are also rival factions within the party who are allegedly expelling the chairman and general secretary – it’s quite hard to follow and establish who is actually in charge.
In another development the Supreme Court has refused to intervene judicially, stating that the Governor of Tamil Nadu has constitutional discretion to decide who is Chief Minister.
Tuesday 14th February
NDTV is providing a running commentary and reporting on the awaited outcome of the VK Sasikala disproportionate assets case. The outcome will decide her political future and her personal liberty.
In addition the Attorney General has advised the Governor of Tamil Nadu that a “composite floor test in the Assembly would prove who has the majority in the power tussle” between VK Sasikala and O Panneerselvam.
The outcome of the two events will decide who becomes Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Wednesday 15th February
Yesterday the court delivered its verdict on the 20 year old disproportionate assets case of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and VK Sasikala. The decision indicated that the two criminally conspired to launder ill gotten wealth at her Poes Garden residence in Tamil Nadu. The court ordered them to surrender to the trial court in Karnataka immediately. That means that VK Sasikala will have to travel to Bangalore to be imprisoned. Considering the animosity between the neighbouring states over the Cauvery river water distribution this order really is adding insult to injury. VK Sasikala has been sentenced to four years in prison and is automatically disqualified from contesting any elections for the next six years. In addition a fine of ₽10 crore (10,000,000) each (with her other co accused) has been levied. (Roughly £12m).
The news channels went into meltdown with almost blanket coverage of the decision. News crews were camped outside the resort where VK Sasikala had been staying with her supporters and party members and members of the legislative assembly (MLAs). VK Sasikala acted quickly following the decision and put a succession plan in place by getting elected Edappadi K Planiswami as leader of the AIADMK legislature party. Now my knowledge of Indian politics isn’t sufficient enough to understand how that is possible. The newspapers are reporting that this man was proposed by the Forest Minister and unanimously accepted by 120 MLAs. In addition VK Sasikala expelled 20 leaders in the rival faction including the chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other Ministers.Not all the members of the legislative assembly are with her to vote on this and also I don’t understand in what capacity she is doing it. In addition she has also appointed her nephew (who was previously expelled from the party) to a prominent controlling position to ensure that control remains within the family whilst she is imprisoned.
VK Sasikala also asked the court for more time to surrender on health grounds but the court refused this morning and ordered her immediate surrender. I don’t understand why she has not been arrested and formally detained yet. The house is surrounded by police.
In any event the news covered her leaving her Poes Garden residence in Chennai in the late morning. She went immediately to the Jayalalithaa memorial in Chennai and then to another former Chief Minister’s memorial before heading off for Bangalore by road. Flights were not possible due to the Aero India show in Bangalore. VK Sasikala arrived in the late afternoon in Bangalore and submitted to the court to be jailed. Her car was surrounded by supporters and journalists both in Chennai and in Bangalore making for chaotic scenes and slow progress.
O Panneerselvam yesterday garnered the support of Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deepa Jayakumar, to assist in securing a majority in the house with the AIADMK.
The Governor’s role in this seems to be by-passed, if indeed he has a role to play at all.
Thursday 16th February
The Governor of Tamil Nadu invited AIADMK legislative party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami to become Chief Minister and also instructed him to hold a vote of support , “floor test”, within 15 days. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the evening.
Friday 17th February
The newspapers are reporting that VK Sasikala is being treated like any other prisoner with no special foods or privileges being provided. It is a huge topic of gossip amongst workers that she will be treated like royalty and be able to pay for social privileges by bribing guards – who will be able to make themselves rich by acquiescencing to her needs.
A group of MPS from the AIADMK has challenged the position she was elevated to on legal or rules grounds.
Timeline of the trial
14th June 1996 – Subramanian Swamy (Member of Parliament, Bharatiya Janata Party) files a complaint against Jayalalithaa.
18th June 1996 – the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Dravidian Progress Federation, state party in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) government directs the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (‘DVAC’) to register a First Information Report (‘FIR’) (a written police document needed to register a criminal complaint) against Jayalalithaa. Once registered a criminal investigation can commence.
4th June 1997 – charge sheet filed.
21st October 1997 – the court frames the charges against Jayalalithaa, VK Sasikala, VN Sudhakaran and J Llavarasi.
22nd January 2010 – Trial commences (It took 14 years from the registering of the complaint for the issue to come to trial. An astonishing delay).
20 & 21st October and 22nd & 23rd November Jayalalithaa appears before the trial court (I find it astonishing that she was not required to be in court everyday since the commencement of the trial).
28th August 2014 Trail concludes (it is unheard of for a U.K. Trial to take 4 years to conclude, most are concluded within a a matter of days or weeks but never years.)
27th September 2014 Jayalalithaa sentenced to four years in jail and fined ₽100 crore by the court.
7th October 2014 the Karnataka High Court rejects Jayalalithaa’s bail plea.
18th December 2014 the Supreme Court directs the Karnataka High Court to form a special bench to hear defendants’ appeals.
5th January 2015 Hearing begins
6th March 2015 the prosecution concludes arguments in the case.
11th May 2015 the Karnataka High Court acquits the accused.
23rd June 2015 the Karnataka government moves the Supreme Court
23rd February 2016 the Supreme Court begins hearing on Jayalalithaa’s acquittal.
6th December 2016 Jayalalithaa dies.
14th February 2017 the Supreme Court sets aside VK Sasikala’s acquittal and restores in full the trial court conviction of September 2014.
18th February
100 DMK MLAs were removed from the Tamil Nadu Assembly just before a Floor Test that would decide the fate of the State’s government. DMK was protesting against the floor test because it wanted a Secret Ballot instead. Fighting broke out, they took control of the speakers chair before being physically carried out of the chamber by order of the speaker. They were charged with bring the house into disrepute.
A secret ballot is not valid in these circumstances as the vote is on party whip lines. If a member defies the whip, which 12 MLAs supporting O Panneerselvam did, they can be disqualified from the chamber. Under the rules for methods for taking votes the vote could only be a voice vote or a division vote. The vote could note be a show of support vocally either as the majority in the house is only 5 people for the AIADMK, so it had to be a recorded vote by division. The DMK opposition clearly wanted a secret ballot to allows any potential defectors to have the confidence to vote against the party whip without the prospect of retribution. Their attempt failed and Edappadi K Palaniswami was confirmed as Chief Minister.
The Palaniswami government now has a problem. It is in power with a wafer thin majority of 5 but 12 MLAs defied the party whip and voted with O Panneerselvam. If the AIADMK lodge a formal complaint to the speaker and have the 12 rebels disqualified, it will trigger by elections which have to be held within 6 months. The likelihood is that the 12 would not be re elected due to popular opinion being against them at the moment. That leaves the party facing losing control and being unable to form the government. So the party may have to continue in government and hope the 12 do not continue to defy the whip or the party has them disqualified and hope the by elections return their own candidates. Interesting times indeed.
After winning the vote Mr Palaniswami and his cabinet colleagues visited the memorial of Jayalalithaa on the marina to pay floral tributes to her after the vote of confidence.
Sunday 19th February
An editorial appeared in the The Hindu newspaper describing the events of the vote of confidence / floor test. His was accompanied by a piece explaining why secret voting in the vote of confidence was not possible due to the rules only allowing a voice vote or division, neither of which are secret. There was an additional piece with the headline “Sasikala’s vow fulfilled, says Palaniswami “. These pieces took up the whole top half of page 12 of the paper as well as a quarter of the front page.
Monday 20th February
An editorial piece appeared in The Hindu newspaper regarding the violence in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in an attempt to scupper the vote of confidence in the new Chief Minister, as was required. The tactics employed by the opposition DMK party to delay proceedings was deplored.
Thursday 2nd March
An editorial appears in the Hindu newspaper reflecting on the events of the past few months in Tamil Nadu politics. The death of the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa , her replacement O Panneerselvam , the subsequent challenge and the conviction and imprsonment of Sasikala and the resulting appointment of Edappadi K Palaniswami as Chief Minister. It certainly has been an interesting few months. The Hindu states that the nature of Dravidian politics lies at the heart of this turmoil as it is devoid of ideological difference, an emphasis on culture as a means of securing legitimacy and the need for centralised leadership to run a patronage system.
Saturday 11th March
An editorial piece appears in the Hindu newspaper analysing the sequence of events and transfer of power in Tamil Nadu. M.K.Narayanan (a former national security advisor and former Governor of West Bangal) states:
The future of the state thus appears to be in jeopardy. Those who value democracy must recognise that a takeover of this kind by a small cabal poses a grave threat to democracy.
Wednesday 15th March
P.R.Sundaram of the AIADMK demanded a CBI probe into Jayalalithaa’s death alleging that none was allowed to see Jayalalithaa in hospital. The Lok Sabha Parliamentary Affairs Minister, H.N. Ananth Kumar stated: “Her sudden demise is of great concern to the Centre, too and there is a feeling that the death occurred in mysterious circumstances. The State government has already ordered a probe, and the Centre can act only after the report is in”.
Saturday 18th March
A half page editorial appeared in the The Hindu newspaper describing the politics of Tamil Nadu to be at a crossroads. The Dravidian basis of politics in the state has always relied on a strong charismatic leader and the party has yet to have one emerge , despite the appointment often Chief Minister. The BJP and congress have yet to have a strong presence in the state yet the editorial states:
“…a saffron shadow is creeping across the land and sweeping past all manner of social cleavages in numerous States.”
The “saffron shadow” refers to the increasing popularity of the BJP under PM Modi.
Tuesday 21st March
The Electoral Commission is hearing evidence and assessing the party rules of the AIADMK in deciding the plea to quash Sasikala’s appointment and therefore nullify all decisions taken by her. The fight is between V.K. Sasikala and O. Panneerselvam and it is being reported as a fight to control the party.
Wednesday 22nd March
The Karnataka state government has filed a review petition to challenge the Supremem Court’s abatement of the appeal against the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case. The aim is to ensure that the fine can be recovered from her estate.
Thursday 23rd March
The Electoral Commission banned the two factions of the AIADMK from using its symbol in the upcoming by election in Chennai. The rival factions of O. Panneerselvam and V.K.Sasikala have both staked a claim on the symbol.
Wednesday 5th April
The Supreme Court dismissed the Karnataka state petition challenging its abatement of the appeal against the acquittal of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.
Tuesday 18th April
TTV Dhinakaran, deputy general leader of the AIADMK, has had an FIR (first information report) filed against him for alledgedly trying to bribe an election official to obtain the two leaves party symbol.
The 20 year old disproportionate assets case against the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has had a review petition dismissed at the Supreme Court. The ramifications of being found guilty would have been wide ranging as the acquisition of disproportionate assets by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act would have attracted a severe punishment. With the others charged along with her now in jail with substantial fines it sets a bad precedent that Jayalitha’s relatives will enjoy the fruits of her labour unchallenged.
Monday 12th June
Jayalalitha ‘s niece, Deepa Jayakumar, tried to garland a portrait of Jayalalitha at the Poes Garden residence in Tamil Nadu. She was attacked but managed to accomplish her mission. The residence ownership is disputed between blood relatives and the AIADMK government who plan to convert it into a memorial.
Sunday 16th July
There have been several inspections, and reports, to the jail where Sasikala is being held. The initial report stated that she was receiving VIP treatment, a special kitchen, cook, office and lounge, being provided. Subsequent inspections have contradicted this, stated that the evidence i s being destroyed, setting prisoners against inspectors and accusing each other of leaking information to the media.
Monday 18th July
Photographs have been leaked to the newspapers of the living quarters of Sasikala in Bengaluru jail. She has 5 rooms at her disposal which are allegedly used as a yoga room, living room, kitchen, Tv room and office. The chief Inspector who reported on the VIP conditions has been transferred to other duties. The prisoners protested because 30 prisoners who gave evidence were beaten up at the behest of the prison Governor and those 30 have now been transferred to other jails.
Wednesday 19th July
The row regarding the VIP treatment of Sasikala in Bangalore jail rumbles on. Prisoners staged a protest yesterday about the appointment of the deputy general of prisons to take charge. The allegations are that this individual, R Anitha, was receiving a bribe of 3 lake a month “take care” of Sasikala. The prisoners state that she will destroy the evidence before the enquiry will take place. As a consequence she was removed from office within 24 hours and replaced by H S Revanna.
The letters pages to papers have people complaining about the removal/transfer of D Roopa from office as she uncovered the alleged corruption and should be supported not transferred.
Thursday 20th July
A three member inspection team visited Bangalore jail to ascertain whether the report allegations are correct. The jail has been instructed to follow procedures as per the jail manual and provide equal treatment to all prisoners.Checks on visits, duration and food flow into the jail has intensified in accordance with the jail manual.
Saturday 22nd July
The Public Accounts Committee have directed the Home Department to immediately suspend all officers responsible for providing VIP facilities to AIADMK leader Sasikala at Bangalore Prison. The PAC have also requested a detailed report on the irregularities within 15 days.
http://m.deccanherald.com/index.php?url=/content/624038/sasikala-case-pac-wants-stern.html&secid=1
Friday 18th August
The AIADMK party announced they would constitute a panel to conduct an investigation in to Jayalalithaa’s death. In addition the Poes Garden residence (where Jayalalithaa used to live) is to be converted into a memorial. These are poictical concessions in an attempt to unite the warring factions of the party.
Tuesday 22nd August
The two opposing factions in the AIADMK merged yesterday with Edappadi K Palaniswami remaining Chief Minister but O Panneerselvam being made Deputy Chief Minister (a newly created post). The combined party decided to c Naveen a General meeting to formally adopt a resolution to expel VK SASIKALA and TTV Dhinakaran from the party ( a key demand for the merger). TTV Dhinakaran covened a meeting of his supporters and muted going to court to oppose the merger; they are also meeting the Governor.
Meanwhile the opposition DMK party has seized the opportunity and is planning a no confidence motion against the government.
Deccan Herald newspaper 22.08.17Wednesday 23rd August
NDTV website reported that 19 MLAs, from the ruling AIADMK party, are in the Windflower Resort and Spa in Puducherry at the request of TTV Dhinakaran, who is the nephew of VK Sasikala and looks likely to be expelled from the party along with her. They are demanding that the Chief Minister resigns and is replaced. Dhinakaranwas arrested in April for allegedly trying to bribe Election Commission officials through a middleman and was released in June.
The Chief Minister and O Panneerselvam joined together on Monday and a key condition was the formal removal of Sasikala and Dhinakaran. The 19 MLAs in Puducherry have written to the Chief Minister stating that they were not consulted over the merger and does not have their support, potentially triggering a trust vote. The reunified party commands 134 MLAs and they need the support of 117 in a trust vote. If all 19 Dhinakaran supporters vote against their own party the AIADMK WILL LOSE BY 2 votes. There is no indication that these 19 MLAs will do so at present as their grievance is that Edappadi K Palaniswami remains in charge as Chief Minister.
In other news, the Supreme Court has dismissed a plea of jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala seeking review of its verdict convicting and sentencing her to a four-year jail term in a disproportionate assets case. The Supreme court also rejected her plea for an open court hearing of the review petitions.
Wednesday 13th September
The AIADMK held a council meeting and sacked party general secretary VK Sasikala yesterday. Sasikala’s appointment of her nephew TTV Dhinakaran, as deputy general secretary, was deemed illegal and all appointments were invalidated. The party also decided that it would no pinger have the pos5 of General Secretary and real,fed to retrieve the two leaves symbol of the party via the Electoral Commission.
Friday 15th September
The Madras High Court has issued orders to the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly not to conduct a floor test until 20th September.
Tuesday 19th September
18 AIADMK Members of the Legislative Assembly were disqualified from their membership of the Assembly by the Speaker under the anti defection law of 1986. They were all the supporters of the ousted leader TTV Dhinakaran. It is likely that the disqualified members with go to court to appeal this decision.
Thursday 21st September
The high Court in Madras extended its order to the Tamil Nadu government not to conduct a floor test at the same time refusing to stay the disqualification of TTV Dhinakaran and the 18 supporting MLAs.
Saturday 23rd September
The reunited AIADMK party has approached the Electoral Commission to reclaim the two leaves symbol and name of the party, which the Elctoral Commission had previously restricted due to the split in the party.
Meanwhile the TTV Dhinakaran visited the 18 disqualified MLAs who supported him at the Kodagu resort where they have all been staying. The newspapers are reporting that strategy meetings are taking place.
Sunday 24th September
The political in fighting is coming to a head now as the ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran has threatened that CCTV footage of deceased Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will be realeased if necessary to provide evidence about the lies told about the state of her health after admission to hospital last year. It now appears that no one, not even Sasikala, was allowed to see her. At the time Ministeres were making statements to the press about Jayalalithaa’s health improvements and diet whilst in hospital, which all now turn out to be lies. Another leader has confirmed this account stating that they were afraid of Sasikala and did as she bid. as an enquiry has been ordered into the events surrounding Jayalithaa’s last days , it looks like some ministers are coming forward early to confess their lies. This is going to get interesting.
Monday 25th September
Unsurprisingly there has been an outcry by the opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, all who are now demanding an investigation into the death of former Chief Minister Jayalith Minister Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deepa Jayakumar, also said she would go to court to clear the doubts surrounding her aunts death.
Tuesday 26th September
The AIADMK appointed a retired Tamil Nadu High court Judge yesterday to head up the inquiry into the events surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death last year.
Meanwhile TTV Dhinakaran has stated to the press that he does not have CCTV footage from the hospital but personal video footage shot by his aunt Sasikala whilst ‘Amma’ was watching TV in her nightclothes. Now this is interesting because various ministers have already come out and said that no one, not even Sasikala, was allowed to see Jayalalithaa in hospital, so where this footage was shot and when will be a key issues.
Tuesday 3rd October
Prison Dept officials have stated that Sasikala has not applied for parole to visit her ill husband as she is not entitled to parole with criminal cases pending. This contradicts the statement made by her nephew TTV Dhinakaran who said they have applied for 15 day’s of parole so she can visit her husband in Hospital.
Wednesday 4th October
After denying that there even was an application for parole, the prison dept rejected the application made by Sasikala’s advocate in the grounds that it did not attach a certified health report confirming her husband’s critical condition. A fresh application will now have to be made and it is sure to be scrutinised intensively considering the public interest.
Tuesday 28th November
Yesterday the Supreme Court declined to consider a petition from a Bangalurean woman claiming to be the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s daughter.
Saturday 13th January 2018
The Times of India reported that VK Sasikala is learning Kannada (the language of Karnataka state) under the Adult Literacy Programme at Central Prison, together with her convicted sister in law in the same case.
19th January 2018
The inquiry report into the preferential treatment given to Sasikala in prison may be referred to the Anti Corruption Bureau. It is alleged that jail officials had accepted 2 crore to spare Sasikala the hardships in jail.
Friday 2nd March
The state government has ordered further enquiries into each of the alleged “irregularities and misappropriation” (corruption to you and me) in the Prisons Department and also the violation of conduct rules by senior police officers.
The Anti Corruption Bureau are to investigate whether money had changed hands to provide special treatment to expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala who is currently residing at Bengaluru Central Prison.
Thursday 8th March
The Chief Minister if Karnataka has denied facilitating special favours for the jailed Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, VK Sasikala. He directed the prison authorities to comply with the requirements to provide a cot bed mattress and pillow for Sasikakla as per doctors orders (which implies that this is not normally provided!). The Revelation was part of the ongoing investigation into the two core bribery payment alleged to have been paid to facilitate special treatment.
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I am sure there have been many more developments since I stopped gathering information in March. This is another example of the underlying tensions that people living in Bangalore, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have to deal with every day or week. The continual unrest and uncertainty makes people uneasy, wary and tired due to the stressful situation. It is constantly frustrating.
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Note:
* AIADMK = All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
DMK = Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
IUML = Indian Union Muslim League
BJP = Bharatiya Janata Party or Indian People’s Party is the right wing, Hindu nationalistic party in power in 2016/2017
MLAs – Members of the Legislative Assembly
Expat Life in Bangalore 