It is celebration time for followers of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party chief Jayalalithaa, as she has been granted interim bail by the supreme court in the illegal assets case.

The state capital erupted in celebrations as AIADMK functionaries were seen bursting crackers and dancing on the streets. Supporters were seen with banners which read ‘Amma back to Poes Garden’.

A party functionary said, “Today is the 43rd birthday of the AIADMK. If court would not have granted bail to ‘Amma’, the celebrations for the party’s foundation day would have remained muted.”

A few women supporters of Jayalalithaa said, “Our prayers for her home-coming got answered today.”

Jayalalithaa’s supporters had fasted and prayed since the past couple of weeks.

Jayalalithaa is expected to be released from jail today (Friday) evening or early tomorrow (Saturday).

However, in Srirangam, which was Jayalalithaa’s constituency, the celebratory mood was subdued. “Not much gathering and celebration was seen with the news that supreme court has granted bail to Jayalalithaa,” said a source from Srirangam.

In the wake of Jayalalithaa’s disqualification as MLA following her conviction in the wealth case, the Srirangam seat has been declared vacant.

The opposition parties, however, chose to remain silent on the development.

It is only a few days back that Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi broke his silence over the conviction of his arch-rival Jayalalithaa. Kalaignar (artist) as Karunanidhi is called by his supporters, declared that even in her dreams Jayalalithaa would not be able to make a political comeback. However, other senior leaders of the DMK did not second the opinion of Karunanidhi.

Political observers have been predicting that Jayalalithaa would eventually get bail. They said bail is not going to make much difference. They also said Jayalalithaa would run the administration for two years with ‘remote control’ from her Poes Garden residence.