Corruption is not a new phenomenon for both major Dravidian parties in the state. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa have faced corruption charges. Registration of corruption cases has become a routine affair since 1996.
Of the 46 cases registered against AIADMK personalities, 13 ended in conviction. However, in only one case, the conviction was confirmed by the Supreme Court and the remaining ended in acquittal in the high court. But, none of the cases against DMK personalities reached the stage of trial. After the fall of the AIADMK regime in May 1996, the DMK government filed 46 corruption cases against former CM Jayalalithaa, some of her erstwhile Cabinet colleagues and bureaucrats. Three special courts were constituted to try these cases.
Of the 12 cases registered aainst Ms Jayalalithaa, the `66.65 crore disproportionate wealth case, the Tansi land deal case and the Pleasant stay hotel case weighed her down. All these cases pertained to the period when she was CM, between 1991-96. Even after 15 years, Ms Jayalalithaa and her close aide Sasikala are facing the disproportionate wealth case. Following her conviction in the Pleasant stay hotel case, violence broke out in the state, leading to three girl students being burnt alive in Dharmapuri. The conviction in the Tansi land deal case disqualified her from contesting the 2001 Assembly polls. Only after the Madras HC reversed the verdict, she was able to become chief minister.
Soon after the AIADMK came back to power, `12 crore flyover scam case was registered against Mr Karunanidhi and his son Stalin. The case also saw the midnight arrest of the octogenarian. Corruption cases were also filed against some DMK ministers. But, as soon as the DMK captured power in May 2006, the flyover case was closed and the DMK ministers discharged.
However, the present DMK government has not filed any fresh corruption cases against Ms Jayalalithaa. Contrarily, the then Union telecommunication minister A. Raja was arrested and imprisoned in the 2G spectrum case. The CBI, probing the case, recently interrogated Mr Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi.