The motorcade was deliberately going slow in the regal laid-backness that is so typical of her imperial stamp of authority, with the Beast (well not exactly the same, but almost) leading the way, carrying her in its front seat as she calmly waved to the enthusiastic crowds cheering her from behind the barricades guarded by the watchful Police and Security guards. Yes the Queen is back. Now for the fifth time on her way for the swearing in as the CM of Tamilnadu, and unbelievably the second time after a sabbatical imposed by a lower court’s conviction, that made another “chaiwala”, O Panneerselvam, reach the heights of power – something he earned purely because of his blind devotion and loyalty to her! The way he broke down when he himself was swearing in as the (acting) CM, eight months back, was a testimony to that steadfast devotion and loyalty, much like how Bharata was guarding the seat for Rama during his Vanvaas, and he was the most happy and relieved man today to vacate the seat of power to his, as well as millions of his party workers’ “walking goddess” – Amma.
The faithful had always believed in her return. Some having sacrificed their own lives by immolating themselves and doing weird forms of worship like nailing themselves to a cross and such. Several temples, churches and mosques had special prayers. For the rest of the countrymen, and most of the media, it could be a strange circus of blind devotion at display or a staged drama for political gains. But for those who actually live in TN and understand the way things work here, this is just a normal celebration of what is truly a deserving and repeated triumph of both will and goodwill! After all who were trying to dethrone her and what are their own moral or legal standing in it! Her political adversary, DMK or Dr. Subramanian Swamy who originally filed this disproportionate assets case! The former is already neck deep in its own scams like 2G and such, and have enough power struggles within its own family. The latter was the one who set up the famous tea party meeting between her and Sonia Gandhi in 1998, just two years after he filed all these cases, this time to vote out Vajpayee’s NDA government. Strangely he himself is now a BJP politician! And we need to believe what he says!
Or is it the media who do their trial by their Newshour and such debates and dole out what is justice! Or the fickle minded people who have their faith in judiciary restored if the verdict goes in their favour and mocks it by saying “their faith in judiciary is restored” reeking in sarcasm, if it goes the other way! Or those non-Tamils who have no problems in justifying Salman Khan’s instant bail post conviction, but have huge problems if Jayalalitha’s appeal is upheld by High Court!? The fact of the matter is, she had won the appeal in the higher court (notwithstanding the arithmetic error in the Judgement) through a due process like any other powerful, rich and famous person can afford to do in our country, hiring the best of legal minds and most likely will also prevail upon, incase Karnataka goes ahead with the appeal on this verdict. Or Dr. SuSu ( as he is threatening to). By the way, he needs to decide which one he would pursue first – the one on Chidambaram, the one on Sonia and Rahul, or this!
For the uninitiated, leave aside the theatrics or the showmanship of the swearing in ceremony or the celebrations thereof. The fact of the matter is, J. Jayalalitha also happens to be one of the toughest administrators, a strong and confident leader, and a more stable and sensible one than the other three powerful women leaders of political parties (Congress, TMC and BSP). When the rest of the country were not even aware of what is renewable energy, Tamilnadu under her CM’ship in early 90s was already leading in installing windpower plants and till date is the largest Windpower producing State. The State was power surplus during her second tenure until it again became power deficit during DMK’s last tenure, which she is trying to quickly bridge now. She also successfully implemented Rainwater harvesting during her first two tenures and today because of that the overall groundwater level in TN is in much better shape. The sustained campaign to stop female infanticide and foeticide is another creditable achievement of hers, because of which the State is almost rid of this vice. Not to leave out the general law and order situation and the sense of security most working females (especially those who are from North can say this) who come back home late at night can confidently say about Chennai. This is apart from many other welfare measures like Amma canteen, Amma medical shops, Amma stores and such other Ammazons!
These and other more important factors like political stability and a fillip to growth and development, which was in a limbo during the last eight months, are incentives enough for the people here to welcome her back as their beloved CM. If Modi’s mandate can absolve him of his “past sins”, Salman’s support base can argue for his release, Mamata’s election victory can give her the power to do what she wants, and a 67 seat victory can make a rookie politician the Yugpurush for his followers and hence would make him throw any tantrums, why should it be surprising if Tamilnadu celebrates the return of its choice as the CM of the State!?
And so she does in style. So much so, even the Style King, Rajinikanth had come to attend the swearing in today!
(Image courtesy : Artist Keshav)