AIADMK MPs on hunger strike to protest "delay" in bail to Jayalalithaa

NEW DELHI: 45 AIADMK MPs today went on a fast in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament complex here protesting the "delay" in granting bail to their party supremo Jayalalithaa convicted and arrested in a graft case.

The lawmakers observed a seven-hour fast from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, demanding "justice" for Jayalalithaa on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"The aim of the fast is to draw the nation's attention to the delay in granting bail to our leader. The judgement was given on Saturday, which was followed by Dussehra holidays," AIADMK Parliamentary Party leader P Venugopal said.

Wondering why there was "delay" in hearing her bail plea, he demanded Jayalalithaa be granted "immediate relief as per law".

Jayalalithaa was sentenced to four years in jail in an 18-year-old corruption case and fined Rs 100 crore by a special court in Bangalore on September 27.

The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister did not get any immediate relief from the Karnataka High Court which deferred until October 7 a hearing on her plea for bail.