Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Jayalalithaa has a quiet birthday

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI FEB. 24. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, had a quiet birthday today, but her partymen and supporters spent the day offering prayers, distributing sweets, donating blood and displaying banners to mark the occasion.

Among those who greeted Ms. Jayalalithaa was the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, who spoke to her over telephone and conveyed his best wishes. The Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, also greeted her over telephone.

Leaders of political parties, officials and film artistes sent messages and greetings to the Chief Minister.

At the AIADMK headquarters, the Finance Minister, C. Ponnaiyan, released a souvenir. The first copy was received by the Law Minister, D. Jayakumar.

Partyman offers thumb

In Vellore, an AIADMK supporter, Gunasekaran, cut off his thumb as an offering to a temple with a prayer to grant long life to Ms. Jayalalithaa. On hearing of the incident, Ms. Jayalalithaa ordered that he be brought to Chennai for treatment at the Apollo Hospitals. She said the party would pay for the treatment of Mr. Gunasekaran. The Chief Minister appealed to partymen and supporters not to indulge in such acts.

Overenthusiastic AIADMK lawyers erected an arch at the main entrance of the Madras High Court hailing Ms. Jayalalithaa, despite objections from Court Registry. Sources said though the advocates were asked to remove the structure, they declined. The Registry decided not to remove it forcibly to avoid "unpleasant incidents."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Science & Tech | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• 'CM made no specific promises'
• 'Bid to attack Mahendran'
• Hearing adjourned on AIADMK's petition against The Hindu
• It's quite dicey in Sattankulam
• Wealth Case Hearing: Jaya exempted from personal appearance
• SC rejects petition on Bhavani row
• Ryots threaten stir over erratic power supply
• Politics, literature inseparable: DMK chief
• Stage set for interesting battle
• No vote for AIADMK: Tirunelveli Bishop
• Tension as Congress cadres protest attack bid
• 3 girls die in match factory fire
• TNPCB should focus on minimising waste, says U.S. expert
• Jayalalithaa has a quiet birthday
• Provide information for nabbing Veerappan, STF tells villagers

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu