Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa will forever remain in the hearts of millions of her followers as ‘puratchi thalaivi’, the revolutionary leader, but her road to political success was filled with thorns.
It is a well-known fact that Jayalalithaa was introduced to the male-dominated world of Dravidian politics by matinee idol and AIADMK founder MGR. When she joined the party, she rose through party ranks quicker than anybody else ever had. Her stunning rise in the party had many in the party feel sidelined and some elements started poisoning MGR’s mind against the rising political force Jayalalithaa was emerging to be.
In 1987, when MGR died, Jayalalithaa was determined to be his political heir and be Tamil Nadu’s next chief minister. But a faction in the AIADMK was dead against it and their bitter animosity against Jayalalithaa played out in the public during MGR’s funeral procession.
First, MGR’s family tried to sideline her when his body was displayed at the Rajaji Hall for public to pay their last respects. But she refused to leave her mentor’s side, standing near his body for almost 21 hours. According to reports, the supporters of Janaki, MGR's widow, pinched her, pricked her with safety pins, but Jaya refused to budge.
Later during the procession, while all those close to MGR were part of the gun carriage carrying his body, Jayalalithaa was unceremoniously left behind. But not one to back down, she made her way to the cortege and tried to get aboard the vehicle.
The future chief minister of Tamil Nadu was captured on cameras being pushed by Janaki's nephew. The soldiers on the vehicle tried to give her a helping hand, but she was hit on the head and shoved away. Left humiliated, she finally left the procession, but more resolute than ever to be the head of the state.
