Jayalalithaa's Death Marks The End Of An Era In Tamil Politics, She Was And Will Always Remain 'Amma'

Not many politicians have enjoyed the kind of love and affection that former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa had among her people, not even her mentor MGR who himself had cult status in the state during his lifetime.

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For the rest of the country, the news of people self-immolating, committing suicide, dying of heart attack when she was sent to jail in 2014, or when she fell ill earlier this year may sound like exaggeration or sycophancy, but for the Tamil people it is as real as it can get - she was not a politician for them - she was their 'Amma' a motherly figure - a family member. So the pain is real, like losing someone in the family.

PTI

Jayalalithaa had an unparalleled political career which saw so many ups and downs. From being a political outsider she was slingshot to the top of Dravidian politics in a matter of few years. But was pulled down to political wilderness following the conviction in a corruption case. However, she made a remarkable comeback to politics after being detained over corruption allegations in 2011.

Then on her governance was full of populist measures some of them to the point of being absurd.

These include Amma canteens, Amma Baby care kit, Amma Salt, Amma Drinking water, Amma cement, free houses, free laptops and free cycles for students, free TVs and grinders for every households etc.

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While these were dubbed as populism, by others, the 2016 election results proved it wrong. Amma had against the predictions by pollsters retained power, that too with a resounding victory. An indication of how well she knew the pulse of the people and what exactly they want.

Even after she had to leave her office after being sentenced in disproportionate assets in 2014 it did little to dent her popularity if anything, it only reaffirmed her cult-like status. Thousands went on hunger strikes, dozens committed suicide, some died of heart attack while she was in jail.

When she walked out of jail in 2015 after being acquitted, the state went into a frenzy unimaginable anywhere else. Jaya was welcomed by millions like the grand welcome for a king returning from the world conquer.

The way she was revered in the state is real and is unlikely to repeat by any other leader anywhere in the country.