Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, who was acquitted in a disproportionate assets case by the Karnataka High Court.

"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 returned the favour by attending his swearing-in ceremony as Gujarat Chief Minister the next year.

Jayalalithaa was acquitted by the Karnataka High Court in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case, quashing a special court order convicting her to four years in prison and imposing a fine of Rs 100 crore on her in the case.

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

The Governor also sent in a flower bouquet to the AIADMK General Secretary, it said.

Interestingly, opposition CPI and MDMK also greeted Jayalalithaa.

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 also 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 on being acquitted in the case, the release said.