CHENNAI, DECEMBER 16: As the world approaches the new millennium, the AIADMK looks at the advent of the year with trepidation. It is fairly clear that several corruption cases against party supremo J Jayalalitha and many of her cabinet colleagues would be disposed of in the coming year by the Special Courts. A question that is being debated in political circles is - after Jayalalitha, who?If Jayalalitha is convicted in even one of the nine cases against her, will she be barred from contesting the Assembly elections due in early 2001? If so, whom will the AIADMK then project as its chief ministerial candidate, pitted against Muthuvel Karunanidhi of the DMK?These are questions that are being discussed even in AIADMK circles although in whispers.The AIADMK realises that most of its senior leaders are literally in the dock. Party insiders see the conviction of former minister Nagoor Meeran by a Special Court recently as an indication of things to come despite AIADMK protests that they are beingvictimised. The AIADMK has projected the setting up of Special Courts by the DMK Government to speed up the cases as an instrument to politically victimise the AIADMK's senior leaders.Senior leaders in the AIADMK believe that Jayalalitha will hold on to the post of general secretary even if she is convicted. She would like to continue her grip on the party machinery, pick candidates for the Assembly elections who would be loyal to her and hope to run the next Government (if voted to power) by back-seat driving. The argument in AIADMK circles is that if Bal Thackeray can be the real power in Maharashtra, why not Jayalalitha?There are some in the AIADMK who believe that Jayalalitha will suggest the name of party presidium chairman and former finance minister V R Nedunchezhiyan as chief ministerial candidate of the party in the run-up to the Assembly elections if she is barred from contest.Jayalalitha could also appoint a committee to run the party if she wants to maintain some distance fromdecision-making till such time as she clears herself. All this is speculation. Right now, the AIADMK leadership is straining every nerve to ward off a conviction which could prevent a person from entering the fray even if an appeal is pending in a higher court.Jayalalitha would like to avoid a situation where she is put on the defensive. Her line is that the cases are false and motivated and that the courts would declare her not guilty.
