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Last December, the city of Chennai came to a standstill when former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa passed away. A year on, the political void she left in Tamil Nadu, remains apparent.
An AIADMK supporter who had gathered at the memorial on Jayalalithaa’s first death anniversary sang praises of his ‘Amma’ by calling her the “light of Tamil Nadu”.
Another supporter said that there was no one parallel to her, when it came to welfare schemes.
Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran also paid tributes to Jayalalithaa.
Flanked by his supporters, including disqualifed party MLAs like P Palaniappan, he took out a procession on a four-wheeler from arterial Anna Salai to Jayalalithaa's mausoleum in Marina Beach.
A sizeable number of supporters also walked along side him, even as he stood atop the vehicle that sported a photograph of Jayalalithaa which was decorated with flowers.
On culmination of the procession, Dhinakaran paid floral tributes at the late Chief Minister's burial site and placed a wreath, with his supporters beside him.
He stood there with folded hands for a couple of minutes, even as his supporters jostled for space as many of them tried to come near him.
EPS and OPS paid tributes to their 'Amma' at her mausoleum on Marina Beach.
Sidelined AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran also took out a procession with his supporters and paid floral tributes at Jayalalithaa's mausoleum.
Clad in black shirts, AIADMK coordinator Pannneerselvam and co-coordinator Palaniswami led a silent march of party functionaries, including ministers, MPs and MLAs.
EPS and OPS placed a wreath at the memorial, where Jayalalithaa was laid to rest in December 2016.
Chants by supporters hailing Jayalalithaa filled the air even as some functionaries were seen getting emotional.
In the oath read out by Panneerselvam and repeated by others, including Palaniswami, the AIADMK workers vowed to ensure that the 'golden rule' of 'Amma' continued by their hard work.
Jayalalithaa supporters believe there is no leader to match their beloved ‘Amma’.
Jayalalithaa’s statue has been installed next to MGR’s and CN Annadurai’s, in Coimbatore.
OPS and EPS have arrived at Amma’s memorial on Marina Beach. Supporters, dressed in black, have thronged the memorial. The two are expected to speak soon.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam have started their march from Anna Salai to Amma’s memorial. The faction is calling it the ‘peace march’.
The OPS-EPS faction of the AIADMK is expected to march from Anna Salai to the Jaya memorial in Chennai. TTV Dhinakaran, Sasikala’s nephew, is expected to conduct a march at 11 am.
The best of rollercoaster rides could not have delivered the unpredictability and apprehension that the AIADMK has given to Tamil Nadu in the one year since Jayalalithaa passed away. In keeping with Tamil Nadu's fetish for masala cinema, the ruling party has dished out a political thriller replete with conspiracy, melodrama, and revenge.
Jayalalithaa and her legacy are still the AIADMK’s passport to electoral success, writes senior journalist TS Sudhir.
Read the full story here: Jayalalithaa’s ‘Tainted’ Legacy and Where AIADMK Goes From Here
Read Smitha TK’s blog about her experience as a reporter on the ground when Jayalalithaa passed away.
Full story here: That Fateful Day When Amma Passed Away and All Hell Broke Loose
Jaya’s supporters have gathered at her memorial on Marina Beach, in Chennai.
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa passed away a year ago, on 5 December 2016, after a prolonged illness. Jayalalithaa was hospitalised under mysterious conditions, and speculations were rife about the events surrounding her death.
Senior Tamil Nadu minister and AIADMK leader Dindigul Srinivasan claimed earlier this year that party leaders had lied about Jayalalithaa’s health so people would believe that she was improving. Srinivasan claimed that the party leaders were afraid of Jayalalithaa’s aide, Sasikala.
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Published: 05 Dec 2017,10:05 AM IST