Jaya in RS: A rational leader who promoted English

During her tenure as an MP, Jayalalitha spoke about the need to promote English as a language that unifies the country, and Tamil as a classical language.

NEW DELHI: For her millions of fans, Jayalalithaa Jayaram’s legacy lies in her work as an able administrator in Tamil Nadu, the state she ruled for many years. But in the country’s political sphere, she will also be remembered for the mark she made as a Rajya Sabha member at a relatively young age.

It was in 1984 that Jayalalithaa entered Rajya Sabha at the age of 36, just a year older than the age required to be elected to the Upper House of Parliament.

And by many measures, she proved worthy of occupying seat number 185, which once belonged to the legendary Dravidian leader, CN Annadurai, for many years in the Rajya Sabha.

“I deem it a great honour to stand here and speak on the floor of the very same Rajya Sabha where 22 years ago, in 1962, our great leader, departed leader Anna rose to make his forceful maiden speech which electrified the entire nation,” Jayalalithaa said during her maiden speech in Parliament on April 23, 1984.

“If Anna had electrified the entire country with his maiden speech, the theme of my maiden speech is electricity,” she said.

From the maiden speech, she made it a point to underscore who she represents or wants to represent -- the toiling masses, crores of humble workers and agriculture labourers. And her speech earned her praise from many, including then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.