CHENNAI: Rallying behind beleaguered AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, two of her allies today said the Bangalore special court verdict convicting her in the disproportionate assets case was not final and expressed hope that she would emerge victorious.
"The verdict is not final and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will break the barriers through appropriate legal procedures," All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) chief R Sarathkumar and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi President T Velmurugan said.
"The AIADMK will continue the welfare government under the able guidance of Jayalalithaa," they said in identical statements here.
Several smaller outfits such as "Kristhava Kazhagam" expressed similar views and solidarity.
Meanwhile, scores of AIADMK workers held a "hunger strike" at several locations in the state protesting the verdict.
Women office-bearers of the party and their supporters in Srirangam, the Assembly constituency of Jayalalithaa, said the case was politically motivated and fabricated.
In costal Nagapattinam district, hundreds of fishermen in ten hamlets and their women family members undertook a fast at Tarangambadi expressing shock over the court verdict.
Fishermen of 54 other hamlets in the district hoisted black flags on their boats, police said.