‘Amma’

Not just the people of Tamil Nadu but the entire country mourns the death of Jayalalithaa. As the undisputed and supreme leader of the AIADMK, she had the stature, the clout and the political space to dictate power arrangements in the state and in the country. In office, she provided stability and purpose to the state government; in opposition, she unapologetically remained committed to the defence of Dravadian interests, values and heritage. For nearly three decades Jayalalithaa was an important national figure, even though she never allowed an impression to gather steam that she was in the race for the prime ministerial gaddi. Despite being the chief of a regional political formation, she had a calm and centered national temperament; she was second to none in patriotism, nationalism and collective concerns and commitments. She never gave any comfort or encouragement to any secessionist or even quasi-secessionist forces in a state that was otherwise prone to disruptive tendencies. Tamil Nadu has lost a dominant politician and an excellent administrator, but the country has lost a stable and sober voice.

Jayalalithaa personified the Tamil cult of charismatic leader. She was the supreme boss of her party; she, and she alone, was the leader and everyone else — including the seniormost cabinet colleagues — was just a follower. And, that was because she had an inexplicable hold over the masses, especially the women, in Tamil Nadu. And the masses stood by her through thick and thin as she stood by them; the overseers of political correctness saw her as a populist and authoritarian figure but the voters and citizens in Tamil Nadu saw her as “Amma”,  a friend, a benefactor and a protector.

Jayalalithaa was so central and so crucial to her party that her death can only be fraught with unpredictable ramifications. No one can be confident that the AIADMK would retain its coherence and unity or that a successor can be found quickly. The Centre has a special responsibility here to ensure that the state of Tamil Nadu is spared instability and dislocation in the post-Jaya period. An orderly succession would be the best tribute her party can pay to her.