AIADMK erupts in joy as 'Amma' returns

The 21-day long wait is over for the AIADMK cadres as their party chief and former chief minister  J Jayalalitha arrived here to a rousing reception.

Thousands of party workers lined up from the airport to Jayalalitha’s Poes Garden residence to have a glimpse of their supremo. Braving heavy rain, they waved the party flag, clapped and danced in joy to drumbeat as Jayalalitha’s convoy sped past them.

Jayalalitha responded  with a broad smile on her face. Special lighting arrangements were also made inside the car, which enabled the cadres to see their leader’s face.

Her car, which carried the party flag, slowed down at a temple on Mount Road where she offered prayer. The party workers chantied “Amma vazhga”, “Long live Jayalalitha.” They had assembled outside their leader’s residence and the airport since morning to welcome her.

“This is the day I am waiting for. Now, all my mental agony is gone since I was clueless what happened to our Amma during the last 20 days,” said C K Kathavarayan, a senior party functionary.

Police had a difficult task of controlling the over-enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the AIADMK headquarters since morning. Thousands of security personnel, including the CRPF staff, were posted on the road from airport to Jayalalitha’s residence, with authorities erecting huge barricades on both sides of the road anticipating a huge flow of AIADMK supporters.

“Though I am not in any political party, it is always nice to see her (Jayalalitha) . After all, she was our chief minister,” a constable, who was put on duty near the airport area, said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, several ministers, MPs and legislators, who queued up near the Parappana Agrahara Central prison at Bangalore, rushed back immediately to Chennai to meet their party leader.

“Amma is back. I will be going happily to my village where my family is waiting for me,” die-hard party man P Velumani, who came from Karur district on Friday, said.