This Article is From Oct 14, 2014

Muted Anniversary Celebrations Await AIADMK

Muted Anniversary Celebrations Await AIADMK

Jayalalitha's supporters were left heartbroken after her bail was rejected by the Bangalore court.(PTI)

Chennai: The 43rd anniversary celebrations of AIADMK's foundation on October 17 is likely to be a muted affair after the shadow cast on it by the incarceration of Jayalalithaa.

Every year, on the foundation day of the party on October 17, Jayalalithaa visits the party headquarters to lead the celebrations.

Distribution of financial aid to indigent party workers and their families, garlanding the statue of party founder and former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran (MGR), hoisting of the party flag, distribution of sweets and release of anniversary souvenir has been the norm all these years.

However, since the party chief is now in jail, the mood is gloomy and the celebrations are likely to be muted, party functionaries said.

"Party presidium chairman E Madusudanan will garland the statue of MGR, hoist the party flag and release the foundation day souvenir," an AIADMK headquarters release said  today.

The party has asked its functionaries to hoist the party flag in all other regions in Tamil Nadu besides territories including Puducherry where the party is functioning. The AIADMK was founded in 1972.

Jayalalithaa was convicted in a graft case and sentenced to four years jail by a Special Court in Bangalore and is currently lodged in a prison in that city.

Incidentally, when the AIADMK observes its foundation day anniversary on October 17, the Supreme Court will also be hearing Jayalalithaa's bail plea.

The party has said it will hold the foundation day function at 10 am at the party headquarters.

The function will be brief as the whole party apparatus, right from senior functionaries to ordinary workers will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of their party chief's bail plea, which is expected to be taken up by 10.30 am by the apex court.

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