From a shy teen actor to mother figure for millions

CHENNAI: The cycle of life came full circle for AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa on Thursday — from Ammu, the shy teenaged actress earning her chops with political mentor MG Ramachandran in the 1960s, to Amma, a larger-thanlife mother figure for millions in Tamil Nadu.

The 68-year-old chief minister bucked the state’s tradition of throwing the ruling party out of power every five years, emulating a feat the legendary MGR achieved 30 years ago.

Jayalalithaa, whose devotees have immolated themselves in her defence in the past, made voters keep faith in her despite limited public appearances because of reported frail health and keeping to the lofty remoteness that defines the aura around her.

Her track record did the campaign for her. In 2011, she promised a clutch of freebies, subsidised goods and services and gave them, and did things she did not promise. Brand Amma flourished this time too — from affordable food canteens to mineral water to vegetables and fruits to medicines to salt to movies to even cement.

If there were any shortcomings, the image of a strong leadership — on billboards, flood aid packets and her own Jaya Plus TV channel — created by an efficient publicity machine put all doubts to rest.

She had to wage a hard battle for MGR’s legacy, emerging from his shadows, but now for ministers and minions alike, she is the ultimate Puratchi Thalaivi or revolutionary leader. Loyalists compete with each other to prostrate before her in respect, sometimes bowing to the chopper carrying her to a rally.

From Ammu, MGR’s name for her meaning a girl in Malayalam, to Amma, her tale is riveting. She entered politics as a film star and a woman and a Brahmin, all negatives in a male-dominated political field. She fought back and became the chief of a Dravidian party with strong anti-Brahmin ideologies.

Acceptability came and confidence grew from electoral victories in the late 80s and early 90s. Her political acumen sharpened with age. She teamed up with the Congress in 1991, capturing power in TN for the first time that year by riding a sympathy wave from the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

Since then, voters in the state have alternated between Amma and her principal rival — DMK chief M Karunanidhi. She regained power in 2011 for the third time on the back of a strong anti-incumbency wave against the DMK. Criticise or condemn her, politicians across party lines have a healthy respect for her as every political formation in the country — Congress, BJP or Left — have at some point in time been fellow passengers with her. She is practical and flexible, her admirers

say.

After 1984, no ruling party in the state has been able to win an election and form the government for a successive term. J JAYALALITHAA, Re-elected chief minister