With the bail petition of AIADMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha coming up in the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, the intensity of protests have increased as the party cadres across the state are praying for the early release of their chief, who was convicted and arrested in connection with the disproportionate wealth case.
More than 100 AIADMK legislators, wearing black shirts and carrying a portrait of Jayalalitha, sat on a peaceful dharna on Sunday morning at Marina beach here. Human chains were also organised at various places in Chennai. Principal Opposition Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam “rebel” MLAs also observed a day long fast in front of the memorial of party founder MGR here.
The scenario was no different in other parts of the state, too, as similar protests and agitations headed by senior party functionaries were organised in major cities, including in Coimbatore, Madurai, Erode, Salem, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and other towns.
Police sources said the protests were peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state.
AIADMK councillors, led by Chennai corporation Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy, have planned to launch an indefinite hunger strike across the state to express their support to Jayalalitha.
Meanwhile, more than 5,000 private inter-state buses across 30 districts operated under the Federation of Bus Operators Association of Tamil Nadu were off the road on Sunday to show solidarity with the former chief minister.
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