After acquittal, Jayalalithaa flooded with greetings, PM Modi phones her

CHENNAI: Jayalalithaa's acquittal in the DA case that could see her return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister led Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other political leaders today to extend their greetings to the AIADMK supremo.

Jayalalithaa's arch rival and DMK chief M Karunanidhi on his part said the acquittal by the Karnataka High Court in the Disproportionate Assets(DA) case was "not the final verdict."

Interestingly, opposition CPI and MDMK also greeted her even as the top brass of AIADMK and DMK went into a huddle after the verdict that is likely have an impact on Tamil Nadu politics.

"Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (Revolutionary Leader-Amma) and extended his greetings," an AIADMK release said.

Modi and Jayalalithaa are said to enjoy cordial relations with the former attending her swearing-in ceremony as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 2011. The AIADMK supremo also attended his swearing-in ceremony as Gujarat Chief Minister the next year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Union Minorities Welfare Minister Najma Heptullah and Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah also extended their greetings to Jayalalithaa over phone, the AIADMK release said.

NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI National Secretary Atul Kumar Ranjan, TMC leader GK Vasan, MDMK founder Vaiko, BJP's National Secretary H Raja, AIADMK allies--Indian Republic Party, AISMK, AIFB and Tamil Nadu Kongu Peravai also extended their greetings to her, the release said.

Industry captains such as Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motors, Vinu Mammen of MRF Tyres, N Srinivasan of India Cements, CMD of Apollo Hospitals Dr Prathap C Reddy, Kalyan Jewellers proprietor TS Kalynaraman and Gem Granites chief Veeramani greeted Jayalalithaa.

Further, scores of Tamil cinema industry professionals including musician Ilayaraja, actors Vijayashanthi and Prabhu and danseuse Padma Subramaniam among others extended their greetings to Jayalalithaa, the release said.

Often critical of ruling AIADMK on various issues, the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit greeted Jayalalithaa.

"Court verdict has been delivered. Whatever be, I wish to greet (Jayalalithaa) in winning the case," BJP's state unit President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan said

The CPI said the verdict would have an impact on the politics of Tamil Nadu.

"It is an 18-year old case which reached a decisive stage. A judicial verdict has been pronounced Considering the significance of the verdict, it will have an impact on the politics of the state. One will have to wait and see the future political developments in Tamil Nadu," CPI National Secretary D Raja said in Delhi.

DMK President M Karunanidhi in a statement said, "What has been pronounced today is not the final verdict. I would like to remind one and all about Mahatma Gandhi's saying there is a court above all courts and that is conscience".