Jayalalithaa Death and what next?

The absence of Jayalalithaa and the subsequent split in the party, if it happens, would not augur well for the country in general and the state in particular. An unstable scenario may lead to the rise of chauvinistic, separatist and anti-national forces which would certainly strike a deal with Islamic terrorists, Maoists, evangelical forces and foreign-funded NGOs, which is not new to Tamil Nadu. The Center and the BJP have their task cut out and they must rise to the occasion.

- Thamizhchelvan

AIADMK Supremo and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi (Revolutionary Leader) Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, who was fondly called “Amma” by millions of Tamils, passed away at 11.30 pm on December 5, 2016 due to cardiac arrest.

She was admitted at the Apollo Hospitals on September 22, 2016 for fever and dehydration. As fever and dehydration were supposedly ordinary health problems, people expected her back at home after a couple of days. But, as her stay got extended and even high profile visitors were not allowed inside to meet her, rumours started flying thick and fast. The absence of her photographs added to the misery. Finally, Apollo hospitals were forced to issue a statement regarding her health condition at least for public consumption.

Meanwhile, on instructions from the center, Maharashtra Governor (Additional charge of TN) Vidyasagar Rao came and visited the hospital. Then, he summoned Finance Minister O. Panneer Selvam and asked him to take charge of the portfolios of Jayalalithaa as well for the smooth continuance of governance.

As days passed by, her condition started deteriorating further causing more concern to the doctors and a specialist from London and specialists from AIIMS also came to extend their expertise supporting the Apollo doctors. The treatment continued on a war footing and Apollo kept on issuing statements even while the rumours kept on spreading in different scales. Party functionaries and cadres thronged in front of the hospital in thousands daily and conducted prayers for the welfare of their beloved leader. However, the crowds disappeared after the Prime Minister announced the demonetisation drive.