The nomination papers of AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha were rejected on the basis that she had been convicted in two corruption cases. She has appealed against the conviction but there are several other cases pending against her. Despite the conviction and non-election, Tamil Nadu Governor Fatima Beevi accepted her as the state’s Chief Minister on 14 May. Ms Jayalalitha must be elected to the Legislative Assembly within the next six months in order to retain her position as Chief Minister.
Immediately after the elections, an AIADMK spokesman declared that the new Tamil Nadu government would support measures to gain the legitimate rights of the Sri Lankan Tamil people, but said that the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 and the subsequent ban of the LTTE in India, made it difficult for rapprochement with the Tigers.
Delivering the government policy address in the Legislative Assembly on 25 May, Governor Beevi, announced that Tamil Nadu will pressure the Indian central government to reclaim Kachchaitivu Island. The tiny island, lying nine miles south-west of Delft Island near Jaffna was declared belonging to Sri Lanka under an agreement in the 1970s. The declaration follows allegations of continuing attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. Thirty nine Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Navy in May for allegedly straying into Sri Lankan territorial waters. A number of Sri Lankan fishermen have also been taken into custody by Indian coastguard.
Fisheries minister Mahinda Rajapakse emphasized that the question of ‘handing back Kachchaitivu’ to India does not arise because the issue is covered by international treaty. The problems involving fishermen should be solved by negotiations, Mr Rajapakse says.