Loyalists of Chief Minister O Panneerselvam may be rejoicing at AIADMK chief V K Sasikala's conviction in a corruption case but are caught in a dilemma over the legacy of late party supremo J Jayalalithaa since she has been indicted by the Supreme Court as well.
The loyalists, however, went on to maintain on Wednesday that the former chief minister was a victim of wrong doings by others.
With AIADMK criticising the celebration by supporters of Pannerselvam and questioning whether they were rejoicing the verdict in the case in which Jayalalithaa was also indicted, the rebels contended that her name was misused by others for which she cannot be faulted.
"I defend my leader late Jayalalithaa. She was a charismatic leader. We had worked with her for many years. We knew her very well. She had always worked only for the people's welfare," veteran AIADMK leader and former Minister, S Semmalai said. Asked about the verdict indicting Jayalalithaa, he declined to be drawn into the nitty-gritty of the verdict, stating that he was yet to fully go into it, even while standing behind 'Amma'.
"Jayalalithaa was a leader with the pure heart of a child, who could do no wrongs, and she had always been interested only in helping people," Semmalai, also a sitting MLA from Mettur constituency, told PTI.
On the conviction of Sasikala and others, he said "Amma cannot be held responsible for the wrongs committed by some others who had used her name."
Semmalai had been the Health and Education Minister during the 2001-06 AIADMK regime. He was also the Deputy Leader of AIADMK Parliamentary Party, in the 15th Lok Sabha.