Tamil Nadu is orphaned by the passing of J Jayalalithaa. Those who differed with her on her domineering brand of politics may not have adored her, but they too were in awe of her and her public persona. The long-serving chief minister’s social welfare schemes and subsidisation of food, medicine and education reflected her concern for the impoverishedand augmented her aura as Amma. Her unrivalled popularity was unattainable to lesser politicians.

It is true that Jayalalithaa was a self-motivated and self-made woman with lots of personality. But the creation of an extraordinary personality cult around her cannot be entirely explained without reference to her social and cultural background. No wonder she was not particularly enmoured of saying or doing anything against the Hindu ethos despite heading a Dravidian party with its roots in atheism and rationalism.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

What distinguished Jayalalithaa was her singular ability to brace the twin horses of nationalism and regionalism to her bandwagon with acumen, insight and dexterity. Her welfare schemes did not look like post-election gimmicks as she brought to bear on them her administrative oversight to effectively deliver on a sustained basis. She managed to transform a quintessential Dravidian movement into one of of inclusiveness and progress.

R Narayanan

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Jayalalithaa’s extraordinary political skills and tenacity weakened her foes. Her charm, intelligence and charisma made her a powerful statesperson, loved and admired by her people. She rode the crest of popularity as a tough and shrewd political leader. She will be remembered for her populist schemes;she was sensitive to the needs of the downtrodden. She will remain a perpetual source of inspiration to all women.

AS Farida

Chennai

The demise of Jayalalithaa marks the end of an era in Tamil Nadu. Though she was a reluctant entrant in both film and politics, she proved her merit in both. She was a natural leader. She faced her first traumatic phase when she was imprisoned in 1996, but her indomitable spirit did not desert her. Her populist schemes elevated her popularity to great heights. The cradle baby scheme proved a great relief; other schemes like gold for marriage, Amma Unavagam, providing highly subsidised food and so on covered people of all walks of life. It is no exaggeration to say that the people of Tamil Nadu have been orphaned.

Buddhadev Nandi

Bankura, West Bengal

As a heroine, she proved her mettle and became the queen of Tamil cinema. As a politician, her life was dedicated to the welfare of Tamil Nadu and its people. As chief minister, she was instrumental in pioneering a number of social welfare schemes, most prominently the cradle baby scheme which was aimed at rooting out female foeticide and infanticide. She has left a rich legacy for the state and one hopes the new chief minister will carry it forward.

Jayant Mukherjee

Kolkata

Autocratic hold

Though it is undisputed that Jayalalitha was indomitable, the party is now bereft of a second line leader. It is not going to be a cake-walk for the AIADMK.

Ashok Jayaram

Bengaluru

Jayalalithaa’s death robs Tamil Nadu politics of its most dominant player. When her mentor MGR died in 1987, Jayalalithaa was waiting in the wings to don his mantle and soon established a stranglehold over the party. Unfortunately, the Jayalalithaa years were marked by autocracy, secrecy, corruption and nepotism, unabashed sycophancy, repression of the media, defamation cases against critics, spats with the Centre and battles with neighbouring States over water-sharing. The personality cult that dominates Tamil politics leaves a pressing question unanswered: Can the AIADMK throw up another figure to rival or match MGR and Jayalalithaa?

JS Acharya

Hyderabad

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