Sasikala's ouster : M Natarajan's Game plan

M.Natarajan a.k.a. MN...the second in command of Mannargudi Mafia has now become the rallying point of the powerful community, which now stands without any influence following the ‘unplugging’ by Amma.

MN is known for his pro-Tamil chants and secret funding to pro-Tamil groups in the state.   During the agitations in 2008 and 2009 against the Srilankan army - LTTE war, MN was found hobnobbing with pro Eelam groups so much so that he even participated in hall meetings and public rallies organised by the Pro-Tamil groups.  MN has also made his foray into media with his magazines "Puthiya Parvai" and “Thamizhalarasi”.   Though the MM cartel is adept in extorting money by hook or crook, MN has been the calling the shots in the entire cartel.

MN who use to travel abroad under the guise of addressing various Tamil organizations had always undertook trips for making investments on behalf of the MM cartel, which is now being probed by the State intelligence.  One ‘Kuwait Raja’ who is a money launderer is known for laundering black money belonging to VIPs in Tamil Nadu has been a hawala operator for quite some time.   MN’s association with Kuwait Raja began in 2002 and since then they have been maintaining a close network. Sources close to MN say, through Kuwait Raja, M Natarajan had shipped hundreds of crores for investing abroad.   

MN who was over confident on his wife’s hold over Jayalalitha had made elaborate plans to capture power and even MN has gone to the extent of indulging in black magic with the help of some Tantri's to see that Jayalalitha gets convicted in the Bengaluru assets case.  

Though initially rattled by Amma’s onslaught...MN mustered courage and started executing plan B, say sources.   Though MN tried to contact the only remaining loyalist in intelligence – Thamaraikannan, he was unable to establish contact since the latter developed cold feet after Amma's Kolaveri against Sasikala & CO.   But an undeterred MN is now making desperate efforts to revive his fortunes and his lost clout. Whispers doing rounds in Khakhi circles is that as a last ditch effort, MN was making efforts through his sources to make Tamilselvan,IPS as Additional DGP of the state’s intelligence wing.

MN who was the cash cow of many Tamil chauvinistic parties is trying to establish contacts with them to forge an umbrella alliance.  MN’s efforts to make contact with the supremo of Nam Tamilar party Seeman proved futile.  Seeman on whose head a Damocles sword is hanging in the form of sexual harassment allegation was disinclined to join hands with MN in troubled times...as his further association with MN may anger AMMA. 

All along MN was in touch with various so called leaders in the State...his desperate attempts yielded some results.  Sources say MN contacted Velmurugan, who was recently expelled from PMK for anti-party activities and made suggestions about forming a pro-Tamil outlet and promised full financial support.  

Velmurugan who had announced that he would be starting a new party by January was interested in the idea and sent positive signals.    MN has also decided to garner support from his community people and got in touch with people in the DMK.   MN has also made enquiries for hiring journalists and promised a big pay packet with an intention of making his magazine Puthiya Parvai a powerful media and use it as a propaganda tool to counter the allegations of the government...this is nothing but an attempt to project Sasikala as a victim and resurrect the MM cartel.

But MN’s luck ran out on Wednesday, when a team of city police officials surrounded and confronted him about his ‘wheelings and dealings’. Police sources say MN was in for some rough treatment and for the first time got the bitter taste of being on the other side of power. Not only MN, his brother M.Ramacandran was also in for a rough treatment by the city police officials who landed at their residences to find out the magnitude of the MM cartel loot. Police officers were particularly advised to look for sensitive government documents and particularly intelligence information...because now its an open secret that MN was also running a parallel government.

Information from Poes garden says that the city’s top cop Tripathy is also likely to face the axe.  T.Nagar MLA Kalairajan, a known Sasikala loyalist has been running gambling dens in and around the T.Nagar area.  

Velmurugan holding Kalairajan - inside the Assembly

Kalairajan is also running cabaret dance bars in 5 places in Chennai city. Recently, all gambling centers in T Nagar were raided by Chennai city police and were sealed...this after Saint Kalairajan raised this same issue inside the assembly. Now whispers doing rounds is that both the gambling dens and cabaret dance bars are being run with the blessings of Tripathy who has turned a Nelson’s eye with a view to cement his position.

Not surprisingly, certain senior police officers who were sidelined in the present regime are fishing in troubled waters to settle old scores. Sources say stories were planted in a popular Tamil daily, which gave extensive coverage to the breakup between Jayalalitha and Sasikala.   The daily carried stories that the operation ‘kick out Sasikala’ was planned and executed by the State’s intelligence wing and the Pon.Manickavel, former DIG intelligence was the brain behind the conspiracy. Whispers doing rounds is that these stories were planted by Jangid who has been crossing swords with Pon.Manickavel for quite some time.  Journalists who were pushed to a corner without any information on the reasons behind the breakup lapped up any bits and pieces of information planted by police officers without verification and started carrying them.

The dramatic move by Jayalalitha to expel Sasikala and her coterie continues to provide new insights into the shady dealings of many personalities...one can only say Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  

Sasikala : the Queen of deceit

Even as the after shocks of Mannargudi Mafia's expulsion is yet to recede, further information pouring out of Poes Garden portrays an alarming picture into the reasons behind Jayalalitha’s three decade old friend Sasikala’s sudden ouster.

SASIKALA's GAME PLAN :

Poes Garden insiders tell whispers in Tamil Nadu that Sasikala had all along been pursuing her ambitions to capture power.   Sasikala viewed Jayalalitha as an  instrument to capture power and had meticulously planned over the times... Sasikala had one by one eliminated all the well wishers of Jayalalitha.    Jayalalitha who fairly had a good career in the film industry had many well wishers in the likes of producers,  Directors from yesteryears. But Sasikala carefully eliminated these well wishers one by one so that Jayalalitha is emotionally dependent only on her.

Sources in the garden say, in 1996, following AIADMK’s rout in the elections, Jayalalitha was arrested and the DMK’s Sun TV had a field day in showing off Jayalitha and Sasikala’s lavish lifestyle which included 660 pair of footwear, 1600 crystal glasses, jewels, etc.    Following Jayalalitha’s release from Prison after 27 days, a well wisher met Jayalalitha and apprised her about the situation that branded Jayalilathaa as one of the most corrupt politician in the country. The well wisher told Jayalilathaa that all properties and articles were acquired only by Sasikala and her coterie and this bad publicity was a result of  Sasikala's wrongdoings in the past.  It was also pointed out how Sasikala cleverly manipulated Jayalalitha to adopt one of her close relative as her foster son and the negative impact following the lavish marriage, which is even now considered to be one of the worst blunders committed by Jayalilatha for which she is paying the price still now.

A shrewd Jayalalitha, was convinced at one point of time and issued a statement to the press, that ‘taking into consideration the sentiments of the general public and partymen she is distancing herself from Sasikala’.    When Jayalalitha released this statement, Sasikala was in prison for her involvement in a battery of corruption cases.  But she was quick to play the emotional card... Sasikala feigned to be terribly sick and got herself admitted in Apollo Hospitals.  From the hospital, Sasikala wrote 4 heart wrenching letters – courtesy her husband Natarajan – to Jayalalitha.    Jayalalitha, who is emotional in nature fell for the ‘deceit queen’s drama’ and took back Sasikala under her wings.

VENGEFUL SASIKALA : 

In 2001, after AIADMK came back to power, a vengeful Sasikala, instructed Jayalalitha’s then security officer a Deputy Superintendent of Police named Rajendran to arrest that well wisher.   The well wisher who had rendered immense help to Jayalalitha during her difficult times was booked in an infamous ‘Ganja’ case and spent 90 days in prison.   He was also humiliated and tortured at the instance of Sasikala inside the prison say Poes Garden sources.  When he was released from Jail the Poes Garden address was erased from his memory and he never thought of visiting Poes Garden once again.

SASIKALA's PLOT 

Time and again, Jayalalitha’s well wishers had tried to caution her about the web of treachery  built around Poes Garden, but failed to go beyond the iron clutches of MM cartel.   Though Jayalalitha had been getting bits and pieces of information about the nefarious activities of the MM cartel, she was not inclined to disassociate herself from the MM cartel and she strongly believed that her three decade old friend Sasikala would never go against her interests at any cost.

But Jayalilatha's assumptions about her close friend proved to be wrong...Sasikala met her waterloo, when Jayalalitha became aware of the irregularities in the contract of her pet project Mono rail.  When Jayalalitha came to know about the irregularities, she questioned her Chief Secretary Sarangi, who showed a note or rather a slip bearing the signature of Chief Minister. Fort St George sources say this signature was forged and such instances have happened earlier as well.    When Jayalalitha confronted Sasikala, she had reportedly told Jayalalitha that " it was your decision and you changed it last night".   In a couple of other instances too, Sasikala always claimed that it was Jayalalitha who had told to change decisions the previous night.  

Jayalalitha, a very shrewd and intelligent person developed suspicion whether she could have been drugged by Sasikala...as Sasikala was the only person who is taking care of her in terms of her medical treatment, etc.  On the other hand Jayalilatha's suspicion grew stronger by the day as whenever she questioned Sasikala over an issue...the blame is squarely shifted on her saying she changed the decision last night. Jayalilatha then approached her well wishers and help came in the form of a female doctor sent by Narendra Modi to take care of Jayalalitha.   The doctor has reportedly conducted thorough checks and following several tests it was found that Jayalalitha was administered sedatives through fruits which she takes daily.   The doctor also found out that the same sedatives have been administered to maids who were brought in from Mannargudi to help in the house hold chores of Poes Garden.  

When Jayalalitha was told about the results, her anger hit the roof.   Immediately the entire staff in Poes Garden including the kitchen staff were replaced. A cautious Jayalilatha only had food that was offered by the doctor and she carefully avoided taking food that was offered by the maid.  A furious Jayalalitha confronted Sasikala not only about the sedatives aspect, but also about the conspiracy of MM cartel to oust her out of power about which she has been continuously receiving reports.   Sources say that Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran, had hatched a conspiracy to fix Jayalalitha in the Bengaluru asset case by ditching her.    Sources say that the treacherous trio had planned to make a plea in the Special Court that they had only lent their names on the request of Jayalalitha to purchase properties and that all the investments for the properties have been made by Jayalalitha through her illegal earnings.  

With evidences mounting about the MM cartel’s evil designs,  Jayalalitha suddenly found that all the pieces in the jig saw puzzle fall in place.

SASIKALA's OUSTER : 

Jayalalitha who was initially shaken about the backstabbing of Sasikala regained her composure and started taking all measures to root out the MM cartel the rest of which is history.

The repercussions of Jayalalitha’s drastic actions were not only welcomed by partymen who rejoiced and expressed their joy by bursting crackers.  The usually silent Hindu newspaper lauded Jayalalitha’s bold move in its editorial “ To cut all links with a friend and associate of nearly 30 years could not have been easy but this severance, it appears, has been in the making for quite a while. This is by no means the first time the problem of the Gang of Fourteen acting in a self-appointed extra-constitutional role and interfering in party affairs and in the administration has been faced but this time they evidently went too far. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa realised that while she could take responsibility for her own decisions and actions, she could not do this for what was being done without her approval or even her knowledge. The situation became intolerable as Ministers and officials hand-picked by Ms Sasikala began acting at her behest, behind the back of the Chief Minister. Allegations of spreading corruption also began doing the rounds. No less than the reputation of the current AIADMK government, which is backed by an overwhelming legislative majority and faces little external opposition, was at stake. The cleansing had to be total, and in full public view — half-measures would just not work.”

Whispers doing the rounds is that Amma has decided to revamp the entire party and get closer to partymen.   A huge cabinet re-shuffle is imminent say sources, as the entire cabinet appears to be filled with agents of the MM cartel.   The heads which are likely to roll are O.Pannerselvam, Natham R.Viswanathan, Agri.SS.Krishnamoorthy, Sellur K.Raju, T.Pachamal, R.Kamaraj, V.Moorthy, MC.Sampath, KV.Ramalingam, SP.Velumani, Senthil balaji, Dr.Vijay and R.Thangamani.

In the official circles too, many heads are set to roll.   The first likely casualty would be in Jayalalitha’s close circles, the clean up is expected to begin from her office and many officers who were receiving orders from MM cartel are likely to go. 

Gnanadesikan IAS

Gnanadesikan,IAS, who was the Finance Secretary in the DMK regime is considered as the person responsible for the present drain in the government coffers.  Gnanadesikan, who later became the Home Secretary in the DMK tenure was brought back to Revenue Department in the present government – Thanks to his connections in the MM cartel. 

In the DVAC too, Jayalalitha feels that certain officers are acting closely with the MM cartel and its Director K.P.Maghendran and the SP T.N.Venkateswaran are likely to shunted out, say DVAC sources.    Besides the DVAC, in the Tamil Nadu police, not only officers of the dominant community,  but officers who secured plum postings through the MM cartel are likely to face the axe, say sources.   E.Ma.Masanamuthu, Chockalingam, K.Radhakrishnan, Vanitha, Pon.Manickavel, Rajesh Das, Nallasivam, Thamaraikannan, Sridhar are the likely names to be booted out, is the whispers in DGP office circles.  

As a part of the complete overhaul, Amma is likely to shakeup the legal wing of the government upside down.   As reported by us earlier in Jaya’s Legal Damagers the legal wing of the present government were filled up with yesmen of Sasikala.   

Advocate General Navaneethakrishnan

Their incompetence in handling legal matters has made the AIADMK government a laughing stock in court corridors.   From the top legal man – Advocate General Navaneethakrishnan and Public Prosecutor I.Subramaniam to Inbadurai, Maharajan, Thambidurai, Balasubramani and Govindaraj, who are considered to be staunch Sasikala loyalists are likely to be weeded out in the coming days. 

TTV Dinakaran & Anuradha

As reported by us already, in Cleanup Jaya TV: Jaya’s next operation the shakeup in Jaya TV is imminent.   Our expose on Jaya TV has sent shivers in the top echelons in Jaya TV administration.    As a sign of packing her bags, Anuradha had reportedly asked her confidant Jana to remove some crucial documents which he complied on Tuesday.   A new administrative head and a complete sprucing up of Jaya TV’s administration is also on the cards.    Further, Jayalalitha had issued instructions to change the name of Sasikala in the party mouthpiece Namathu MGR, in which Sasikala is the printer and publisher.

Jayalalitha has also decided to revamp the Intelligence machinery, which has been filled up with coteries of the MM cartel.   Officers who have sound knowledge and experience in intelligence gathering are likely to be inducted.

The December 30 general council of the AIADMK, scheduled to convene at Vanagaram would witness Jayalalitha making an emotional speech with a strong message to reach out to the cadres.    Sources close to amma say, that Jayalalitha desires to strike an emotional chord with the cadres following the treachery of the MM cartel.

Meanwhile the Mannargudi Mafia met at the residence of Sivarajamanickam, an AIADMK candidate in the 2011 election and discussed the future course of action. Discussions also continued in the house of Kamaraj, Thiruvarur AIADMK Secretary and Minister.  While Sasikala has gone into shell at her relative’s guest house at Neelankarai, the remaining bigwigs of the Cartel are maintaining  Omertà – Italian Mafia’s code of silence.   

Sasikala : A failed Coup d'état ?

No. 2 to No.1 ? A friend turned foe ?

TN Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa’s decision to expel Sasikala and her clan in the party has hit headlines…its now an international headline and a trending topic on social networking sites like twitter and Facebook.

 

This is what the BBC has reported

“The chief minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has expelled her close aide VK Sasikala, her husband M Natarajan and 10 others from her AIADMK party. J Jayalalitha announced the expulsions in a brief statement and told her party not to conduct any relations with the expelled members. Correspondents say the action against Ms Sasikala is drastic. She has enjoyed the absolute confidence of Ms Jayalalitha for many decades.”

The ongoing fued between J Jayalilathaa and Sasikala has been continuously reported in Whispers in Tamil Nadu…

Even before any other media could report on this ongoing feud between Jayalalitha and Sasikala whispers in tamilnadu was the first one to predict the endgame for the Mannargudi Mafia.

Now, with Jayalilathaa formally announcing her decision to sack Sasikala who heads the Mannargudi Mafia from Poes Garden…whispers doing rounds in inside Poes Garden is that, it’s the result of Amma’s anger to nip a Coup d'état in the bud.   Sources tell whispers that M.Natarajan, husband of Sasikala was engineering this Coup d'état ever since the disproportionate assets case against Jayalilathaa entered its crucial stage.

 

Sasikala who got acquainted with Jayalalitha in the early eighties remained a trusted confidante of Jayalalitha, even in difficult times. For their friendship, Sasikala even ditched her husband Natarajan and moved in to Poes Garden.    In spite of numerous complaints against Sasikala and her coterie, Jayalalitha chose to keep mum and defend her aide.

 

Even before Jaya took charge as the Chief Minister, Sasikala & CO was calling the shots…be it party affairs from Candidate selection to officer’s appointment.  Sasikala was identified as CM : 2 in bureaucratic circles…as that was the best way to get plum posts and money was the only language that is better understood.   This virtual usurping of power by Sasikala gave the guts to her husband and relatives – M.Natarjan, M.Ramachandran, MIDAS Mohan, Ravanan, etc.   These coterie started calling the shots and planted their officers of their choice like T.Rajendran,IPS,  Paneerselvam, a retired IAS officer, Pon.Manickavel,IPS and recently Thamaraikannan in key positions like intelligence and planning and coordination so that to keep a tab on the functioning of the government. 

 

This cartel started running a parallel administration even before the swearing in ceremony.  Officers and businessmen who want to curry favours crawled before this cartel.   As soon as the government was sworn in, Natarajan’s Besant Nagar residence was buzzing with activity with a steady flow of visitors from IAS and IPS circles.    This cartel also went on a collection spree and started threatening businessmen and contractors no matter how big or small they are.   Sand quarrying was a golden goose with which this cartel was minting money.    Though information about these corrupt activities were doing the rounds, Jayalalitha’s concentration was diverted to the assets case against her in Bengaluru.  MM cartel’s activities continued so much so that during the recent DVAC raids conducted at the residences of TNPSC members…along with many recommendation letters in the letterheads of DMK leaders,  some letterheads of the MM cartel was also seized and that was used as a defence by the Chairman and Members of the TNPSC that they were also loyal to Sasikala, whom they term as CM.2.

 

Meanwhile the MM cartel was hatching plans expecting a conviction for Jayalalitiha in the assets case. M.Natarajan, who was the mastermind behind this operation, was in touch with Ministers, Police Officers and bureaucrats to ensure everything goes on well according to plan.

 

Jayalalitha first came to know about the web of conspiracy around her when she learnt about a secret meeting conducted by Sasikala’s husband M.Natarajan in which the then ADGP Intelligence T.Rajendran was asked to identify people loyal to MM cartel.  It is reported that Natarajan had discussed in the meeting about his Chief Ministerial ambitions in the event of Jayalalitha getting convicted in assets case. When this news reached Jayalalitha, she booted out T.Rajendran, but Sasikala managed to bring in another loyalist in the place of T.Rajendran – Pon.Manickavel.   Pon.Manickavel for his part remained loyal to M.Natarajan than to Chief Minister, say DGP office sources.  Pon.Manickavel started controlling the police force and on the instigation of M.Natarajan, ensured that people belonging to the powerful and influential community alone are given key tasks in the intelligence wing.   Simultaneously another police officer of the same community – Sivanandi, IPS also started pulling his strings with both Sasikala and Natarajan to become I.G., Intelligence.  What angered Amma was the MM cartel's extended meeting that happened in Banglore recently when Sasikala was there to depose before the special court. Whispers doing rounds is that the meeting was attended by all the key members of MM cartel including M Natarajan...that is when the MM cartel gave final touches to their conspiracy against Jayalilathaa and to capture power in the State. However, the state intelligence got a tip off and the MM cartels attempts for a Coup d'état was successfully defeated. Sasikala and her team of bandits were booted out of Poes Garden after a session of through paper work. 

 

Though the media has lapped up the news of Sasikala’s expulsion, political leaders are very sceptical about the move by Jayalalitha as they feel that it is a well crafted drama enacted to distance herself from Sasikala as there are possibilities of a certain conviction in the assets case.  

 

On the other hand businessmen and industrialists who were pushed to a corner by the MM cartel were left to fend for themselves.  Schemes and basic works could not be carried out due to the interference of the MM cartel as at least 20 percent commission was high on the agenda.

 

Political analysts and well wishers of Jayalalitha and a couple of senior Editors and industrialists chose who were stunned by this parallel government decided to put an end to this ongoing menace….but who will bell the cat? Well finally Cho Ramaswamy was approached by this powerful lobby…Whispers doing rounds in Poes Garden Circles is that Cho Ramasamy met Amma last week and narrated the tale of woes.   Sources tell whispers that Cho Ramaswamy gave Jayalalitha a complete picture of what is happening in the state and advised her to stay away from Sasikala if she wants to enter the national canvass.    Citing that parliamentary elections are just 2 years away, her continuous association with Sasikala and the MM cartel would spell doom for her.  Cho Ramaswamy, who is seen on television screens as the authority on Tamil Nadu politics has curiously denied to make any comment on this important political development in the corridors of power.

 

However, the state intelligence on its part has filed a detailed report to Jayalalitha listing out the names of Police Officers, Bureaucrats, Ministers, and other lobbyists who were acting as agents of the MM cartel.  Whispers doing the rounds in the corridors of Fort.St.George and DGP office is that a major shake up is expected based on the intelligence inputs. 

 

Meanwhile a rattled MM cartel is now running for cover and trying to cover their tracks.   Ever since the news broke about Sasikala’s expulsion from the party, Sasikala’s loyalists including her husband M.Natarajan have switched of their mobile phones and remain incommunicado.  Sources close to M.Natarajan say that he might go abroad to avoid any legal actions by Amma.  M.Natarajan is also in a deep trouble as he is in huge debt to various industrialists and officers from who m he had collected crores of rupees by promising to deliver plum posts and projects from the state government.

 

In the meantime, fearing reprisals from Amma, the MM cartel is in a huddle and trying to cover their tracks by erasing crucial evidences. People who had gained through the MM cartel are also in jitters fearing reprisal from Amma.

 

In a swift move, Jayalalitha appears to have achieved what she wanted by sending a strong message that - She means business and she is the BOSS.

Political analysts who take these developments with a pinch of salt say Amma’s drastic actions will have any meaning only if the MM cartel is brought to book for their nefarious activities. 

Good riddance : Jayalalitha expels Sasikala and her band of bandits.

The feud between Jayalalitha and her long time aide Sasikala has reached a flash point.   Jayalalitha had announced expulsion of Sasikala, her husband M.Natarajan, his brother M.Ramachandran, Diwakaran, Sudakaran, S.Venkatesh, MIDAS Mohan, Ravanan, Kulothungan and Rajarajan have been expelled from primary membership of AIADMK.  

Jayalalitha has also announced that party people should not have any contacts with those who have been expelled and those who have contacts would face severe action.

Ahead of any other media, it was in these columns we broke the end game of the Mannargudi mafia.,  


also some of Chinnamma operations that we reported...

Is Amma aware of the collection spree ?

Tamil Nadu Ministers : Kaun Banega 'Crorepati'
 
Martin Luther Kings in Tamil Nadu Cabinet? 
 
The Agri (ugly) war

Poes Garden insiders say that the entire Mannargudi Mafia in the party, bureaucracy and police circles is rattled after Amma took this extreme step of chucking out her close confidant...

Whispers doing rounds in the corridors of Fort St George and DGP office is that...a comprehensive list has been prepared on Sasikala & Co loyalists in TN Cabinet, IAS and IPS circles...and very soon many will be shown the door. This is expected to happen before the party's General Council which is scheduled at the end of this month...  

Keep watching these columns for a comprehensive report on the reason behind Sasikala & Co's expulsion from AIADMK.

“Clean up Jaya TV” : Jaya's next operation.

After cracking the against Mannargudi Mafia cartel, Amma is all set to divert her attention towards Jaya TV...this is the latest whispers doing rounds inside AIADMK's mouth piece Jaya TV.  Jayalalitha, who is not so keen on the affairs of Jaya TV had entrusted the entire administration to Ms.Anuradha, wife of TTV.Dinakaran. But what's wrong with Jaya TV? Amma has decided to clean up the party's main propaganda tool following serious complaints about loss of revenue and misappropriation of funds by senior authorities who are running the show...

Jaya TV, which was never competent in matters of professionalism be it news or entertainment...it was always   lagging far behind on its contemporaries, making it  quite obvious that it has no intention to compete. Ever since its inception 14 years ago...several things have changed but one thing that has successfully defeated Karl Marx's theory of "change" is the channel's revenue...for the past 14 years it remains at Rs.4 crores a month - Not a penny more, not a penny less...One wonders how this figure has neither decreased nor increased from the channel’s inception in 1999. So that brings us to our next question...What's rotten in Jaya TV? 

In the year 2000... Jaya TV was the only channel, at present its a network, which has two additional channels Jaya Max and Jaya Plus...no matter its one channel or 3 the earnings remains the same - 4 crores a month, say insiders. Now whispers doing rounds is that Amma’s secret investigation into the affairs of Jaya TV has revealed shocking details.  Jaya TV has been a money making cow for a few top authorities. One among them is Bala Swaminathan, who is the present Vice President (Marketing) in Jaya TV...sources say he heads the cartel, which systematically siphons of Jaya TV revenue.  Insiders in Jaya TV feel, it was Bala Swaminathan who continuously wins JACKPOT !!!

Bala Swaminathan

Bala Swaminathan, who was working with the Vikatan group, joined Jaya TV in the year 1999 as marketing head and since then he continues to be the marketing head...Sources say Bala who started his career in Jaya TV with a modest salary of 45,000 per month is now receiving Rs.1,90,000/- per month.   

TTV Dinakaran, who was initially handling the affairs of Jaya TV had kept Bala Swaminathan in check.  But as soon as Dinakaran’s wife Anuradha donned the mantle, it was a free run for Bala Swaminathan.  Anuradha, who is new to the nuances of administration was taken for a ride by Bala, say Jaya TV insiders. Jaya TV’s major revenue is in the form of advertisements of which half of the advertisements are from major players like Procter & Gamble, Hindustan Unilever, and other major companies etc.  These MNCs have their own advertising agency and maintain a clean slate.   But Bala devised a clever plan to rake in the moolah in the remaining half advertisements, which are offered to the channel by small players. 

Bala Swaminathan, who is a sly operator started an advertising agency named “Bala Ads”!!! and since then it became an unwritten rule that all advertisements are routed through his agency, so that entire advertisements which comes through the so called ‘proper channel’ goes to Jaya TV and the commission to his secret coffers say advertising agency sources.  The advertising agency Bala Ads, neither has an office, nor a single staff.  The AD agency functions from his home and the rule is 15 percent commission.

Bala Swaminathan, who was in a rented house for Rs.2000 in the year 1999, at the time of joining Jaya TV now owns a palatial flat in the paradise of the rich – and now he is TN Chief Minister - AIADMK Chief  & Jaya TV owner J Jayalilathaa’s neighbor at Poes Garden.

Around an year back, Jayalalitha got wind of the loot in Jaya TV and the lackluster performance of Anuradha and decided to shakeup the administration. Sources say after hearing about Jayalalitha’s plans, Bala got jittery that Amma would find out his loot and developed cold feet.  Though Jayalalitha subsequently dropped her plans to shakeup the administration, a clever Bala Swaminathan, brought Raghu, Vaithy, Soori and Jayachandran from Vikatan who are his yesmen, just to start a few more so called advertising agencies – namely Raghu Ads, Vaithy Ads, etc. This was an attempt to have his iron clad over Jaya TV, so that the loot continued unabated.

Besides raking in the moolah in advertisements department...Jaya Tv sources say Bala Swaminathan is also in tie up with Subashree Thanikachalam.  Subashree Thanikachalam, a visual communication graduate claims herself to be an expert in producing music related programs.   For the past five years, Subashree is continuously given prime slots based on a secret understanding with Bala. Jaya TV sources say recently Subashree Thanikachalam went on a tour to Cleveland, USA under the guise of producing music program.   However, the expenses for the trip including crew was borne by the Tamil Sangam organization in Cleveland.  But Bala Swaminathan sanctioned Rs.20 lakhs from Jaya TV for the trip and got back a sizable share for himself, say sources.

 

After Subashree returned to India, the program shot in Cleveland which contained US Tamils singing, was shown on Jaya TV with reputed firms as sponsors.   Bala Swaminathan went on a sabbatical tour to London and Paris – courtesy Subashree, say insiders. Even though the overall revenue of Jaya TV has not increased over the time, the entire slots in Jaya Plus are filled with real estate advertisements and programs which gloat about magical medical treatments rule the roost in Jaya Plus with the blessings of Bala Swaminathan, who receives a huge cut in the revenue say AD agency sources.

Kalaignar TV which is struggling for its involvement in the 2G scam appears to be far better than Jaya TV and Sun TV, Sun news known for its so called unbiased news and professionalism is doing a commendable job.  But Jaya TV which is considered as the most powerful propaganda tool by Jayalilathaa is no more considered to be peoples channel as it claims. This was quite obvious when TN Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa preferred to reach out to the people through a televised speech on Jaya TV while increasing bus fare and milk prices. She wanted to make an emotional appeal to justify that the state is bankrupt and that has forced her to take a decision to this effect...but except a party men, govt officials, bureaucrats and Journalists, by and large the people were unaware about the facts as her emotional plea failed to strike a chord with the people. Thanks to the able administration of Bala Swaminathan and Madam Anuradha.

K.P.Sunil

But where do Anuradha stands with regard to Bala Swaminathan’s activities ?    It was Anuradha who inaugurated Bala Swaminathan’s “Bala Ads”. Whispers in Tamil Nadu has already reported on Anuradha's latest antics. 

Whispers doing rounds in Poes Garden circles is that Amma has made up her mind to do a complete clean up of Jaya TV and spruce up the channel and make it professional. 


If this was the condition on the administration side...the news department headed by K.P.Sunil, Vice President (news) and Editor Thillai is yet to wake up from its deep slumber. Sources inside Jaya TV say the news department lacks motivation and clarity. Industry sources say the Jaya TV news failed to create any ripples in Tamil Nadu political circles when Amma was in the opposition...now after becoming the Chief Minister the news output by and large remains the same. 

K P Sunil, was asked to go on leave following his goof up in the telecast of Amma’s all important price hike announcement...Now he is given a second chance by Amma.   Sunil was taken to task by Amma for his failure to telecast Jaya’s televised address on scheduled time. After a brief hiatus, Sunil has been given a lifer and has been instructed to pull up his socks and deliver a better performance. Well its an indirect message to Editor Thillai...who is often seen as a man who only wants to ensure that Jayalilathaa's statements are reported in the bulletins without excluding a single sentence or word. 

Whispers doing rounds in AIADMK circles is that...Jaya TV news bulletins are only filled with Amma's statements and developments like arrest of DMK leaders and DVAC raids are given less importance. Sources in the party say that local party functionaries expect in-depth coverage of raids and arrests of DMK leaders, so that they can score brownie points at a time when their political rivals are being brought to book for their corrupt activities...However, they compliment Kalaignar TV for building up momentum and maintaining it till date.  

Whether Amma’s shake up of the management of Jaya TV from its deep slumber would stem the rot remains to be seen.

Sasikala retains her forte?

Though it is shocking, it is true.  Whispers in the power circles is that Sasikala, aide and confidante of Jayalalitha for more than two decades has retained her forte. It was almost evident that Amma was cracking the whip on the Mannargudi Mafia which has spread its tentacles throughout the state.    The tentacles of the MM cartel were so powerful that officials who were entrusted with the task of releasing the Tamil Nadu administration from the web of the MM cartel were perplexed as to cut which tentacle of the octopus. 

News spread among journalistic circles that Sasikala’s tiff with Amma has reached a boiling point and Amma has made it clear that Sasikala should remain as her personal aide, without any role in the administration.  The whisper was strengthened when Sasikala made an untimely exit from the Poes garden to her close relative’s house.   Sasikala’s sudden exit fuelled rumours that Amma had made Sasikala persona non grata. But, in the evening Sasikala was back in Poes Garden as usual.  But whether Sasikala is wielding the same clout with Jayalalitha – making policy decisions as to who should be appointed to where – is anybody’s guess.

Senior bureaucrats and Police officers who were jittery following Amma’s diatribe against the MM cartel heaved a sigh of relief following the re-entry of Sasikala into garden. But it was after this news that "CM's deputy Secretary Ramalingam has been relieved from his duties", that rattlled the powerful community in the state bureaucracy. 

This news reached the man of the moment Ramalingam when he was inside Poes Garden, but the order was not served to him immediately as it happens in other cases. Sources say it took several hours for the officials to even serve the orders. (Which obviously did not reach him at all) But the inside story is it was a deliberate attempt to delay orders and  there was hectic lobbying underway to save Ramalingam from being booted out.

Whispers doing rounds in the corridors of Fort St George is that senior bureaucrats from an influential community worked overtime to ensure that Ramalingam stays in CMO. Sources also say, IG intelligence Thamarai Kannan was shrewd enough to convience Amma after she decided to chuck Ramalingam out.

The rosy picture given by Thamarai Kannan was that Ramalingam, a Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister’s office - who actually is the eyes and ears of Sasikala - is a most loyal person.  Ramalingam who was asked to go on long leave was asked to re-join duty as of today – Friday 16 December 2011. 
 

Fort St George sources say Ramalingam, who is serving as a Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister’s office is the person who is nominated by Chinnamma to keep a tab on the movements and developments in the CM’s office. 
 

Following the inputs given to Jayalalitha about the clout of the MM cartel, she chose to weed out the MM nominees. Officers who were rejoicing about the clipping of wings of the MM cartel are now having a second thought whether to open their heart or take sides with the MM cartel, which, as of now, appears to be as powerful as it used to be.