All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supremo J Jayalalithaa on Sunday said that her public life “amounts to swimming in a sea of inferno”, a day after being released from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison at Bangalore.
“As your dear sister, I have realised the perils of dedicating oneself for the cause of public welfare from the day I entered politics,” said Jayalalithaa.
She also assured her party workers that she will come out of the current case as she has successfully overcome several challenges in life.
“I have come across several challenges in my life and have successfully overcome them as well,” she said.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister, who was convicted of amassing disproportionate assets, gave her first statement today after being released from Bangalore Central Jail.
Recalling that her mentor and party founder MG Ramachandran had secured an assurance from her that she will dedicate herself in leading AIADMK, she said she was living by that promise.
The welfare of AIADMK and its workers, particularly the well-being of people of Tamil Nadu, were her prime goals and she continued to walk this path unmindful of the “challenges, grief and pain” she could face in this process, as “God has given me the maturity to take such pains in my stride.”
She assured the party workers she will meet their expectations besides continuing to work for the welfare of the people of the state.
Jayalalithaa claimed 193 persons had died due to her “present situation,” (following her sentencing in the case) and expressed concern over three other persons attempting suicide. The party released the list of the 193 deceased persons, saying 139 of them died of heart attack while the rest ended their lives.
Expressing her sympathies with the families of the deceased, she announced a relief of Rs three lakh to each of them even as she said the party will provide Rs 50,000 each for the three persons towards medical treatment.
She urged supporters not to take any such extreme steps and also thanked all those who had prayed for her release.
Jayalalithaa, who spent 21 days in jail, was lodged along with her aide Sasikala Natarajan and two others. She was received by Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam and other top party leaders after her release.
The AIADMK leader had approached Supreme Court for bail after being denied relief by Karnataka High Court.
Challenging the High Court’s decision, she had sought bail from apex court on health grounds.
