Demise of Dr.J.Jayalalitha and future of Tamil Nadu:

– Kalyanaraman TR, JOINT SECRETARY
Sankara Institute of Management Science

Our honourable ex-chief minister, Selvi .Dr.J.Jayalalitha, commonly referred as Dr.JJ and AMMA, took her last breath on 5th December 2016. She was admitted in Apollo hospital for more than 2 months, initially taken there for infection and dehydration issues. Hospital has not declared the precise medical report to the public even after the demise of her. It’s been just a week since the untoward incident happened and already Sasikala is in reign to become the General Secretary of AIADMK. This well planned arrangement has made common people suspect the death of Dr.JJ, whether it was natural death or not.

Dr.J. Jayalalitha’s life is a great story and inspiration for many, as she has faced many struggles, and not once she gave up, but used the struggle as a motivation tool and evolved from those torrid times right from her acting days to political career. For instance, during MGR funeral, she was pushed from the funeral car, and then she went on to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 5 times since then and also had similar funeral procession for her own demise. Also, there were numerous corruptions cases, from color tv scheme to disproportionate asset case, inspite of being arrested few times, eventually, she has walked away from those cases, as she was not guilty and there was lack of adequate evidence.

Selvi.J.Jayalitha, besides extremely efficient Law and order, job opportunities through various industrial set ups in TN, efficient public infrastructure including roads, public transport, etc, has also executed various welfare schemes for people under the poverty line. She has definitely assisted them to get the basic needs at extremely low cost , such as water, food, grinder, fan, medicines, also schemes such as Amma mobile, Amma cinemas, Amma baby kit, etc, were initiated and have been received well by public. These are one of the strong reasons why Dr.JJ had immense support from the masses. Secondly, she has somehow managed to bond efficiently with the poor people, albeit she hasn’t met them often in the last ten years, except during election times. One reason for this bonding could be the branding done through the above schemes, all products under AMMA’s scheme had Dr.JJ’s picture, and hence, almost most of the household had her photo, even if they did not support her views. Moreover, Dr.J.Jayalalitha, who was not married and does not have any children, was fondly referred by everyone as AMMA. Hence, these are the reasons why the demise of Selvi.J.Jayalitha has left a void amongst everyone including haters, and hence, I definitely think that everyone deserves to know exactly what treatment was given from 22nd September 2016 to 5th December 2016 and hospital should also release photos of her during her hospital days, as Apollo hospital even released a press report, just few days before demise, stating chief minister had almost recovered, and can be discharged anytime.

Post demise of Dr.JJ, it is extremely disappointing to see how fast things are unfolding, as already ministers and MLA’s are treating Saskila as how they treated Dr.JJ, prostrating with extreme respect and also calling her ‘Chinna Madam. (next AMMA). It is inevitable that she will be the AIADMK head, and will be bossing the ministers, and will be ruling Tamil Nadu for the next 4 years. Common man might not be able to prevent Saskila coming in to power, as she will be heading the party not government, but if reports can prove that there was no mystery in the death of AMMA, people might gradually accept the transition, if not there can be few protests, and can even result in AIADMK party splitting.

To conclude, all one can hope as resident on Tamil Nadu the exact medical reports are published, and hope Sasikala , who definitely has had political experience from the background, can surprise everyone by doing her best to the public in the next 4 years, even if she indulges in corruption as it is difficult to cease that aspect. Also, the next election can witness a leading kollywood star entering politics, and also BJP will have better hold if the BJP chief minister nominee has some popularity amongst the masses, however, Mr.Stalin of DMK, will have the best possible chance to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the next state election.

Post Script:
In my view, the death is most likely natural, but medical reports should be published so everyone can get over this suspicion. Sasikla would have anticipated for this day for long, as she has played her cards from background for many years, but now, she will have all the powers and can rule from the foreground with her family members, which is highly unfortunate, as her family members had history of corruption cases, and they even used Dr.JJ’s fame many times to involve in illicit acts for huge monetary benefits, and now they have built an empire, even from being in the background. To conclude, I am against Sasikala coming into power, but I feel Sasikala, inspite of ongoing corruption which will never cease as it is part of the Indian political system, will surprise everyone with her schemes, as that is her only option and she is smart enough to know the pulse of people, hence, she will ensure medical reports are published, hope it is not fabricated one and also will bring in many freebie schemes, so public will start accepting her gradually, which will be unfortunate.