Jayalalitha is very critical. She is on life support system. The Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Tamilnadu, which has been put on high alert. MPs from the southern state have rushed to Chennai. Rumours are flying thick and fast. With a multi-specialty team in attendance evidently everything is being done to keep her alive and restore her. But not taking chances the police are on high alert with barricades put up around the hospital. There is heavy security everywhere with the Centre directing operations. With the governor and other top bureaucrats and ministers visiting and on tense call Chennai was on an anguished wait. Many arterial rods have been closed to traffic and riot police on standby. People travelling to Chennai have also cancelled their trips. With extraordinary and bizarre scenes of grief and sorrow being played out on the streets of Tamilnadu the authorities are pulling out all stops to see that life doesn’t come to a complete stand-still. Sreelata reports exclusively for Different Truths.
Chennai went into a slow yet frenzied shut down within minutes of the news that Jayalalithaa had suffered a cardiac arrest last evening. As before, crowds began collecting outside Apollo Hospital where she has been undergoing treatment for the past two months. Praying, chanting and imploring the almighty to save their ‘Amma’ many women were seen weeping copiously outside the hospital gates. She is very critical, according to hospital sources.
Only hours before, statements by the chairman Apollo and doctors from AIIMs had assured the world at large that Jayalalithaa had recovered completely and could go home whenever she wanted. Going into a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening she was operated upon this morning and the AIDMK her party announced to its cadres that doctors have said, though still critical, Amma would be fine. With a multi-specialty team in attendance evidently everything is being done to keep her alive.
But not taking chances the police are on high alert with barricades put up around the hospital. There is heavy security everywhere with the Centre directing operations. With the governor and other top bureaucrats and ministers visiting and on tense call Chennai was on an anguished wait. Many arterial rods have been closed to traffic and riot police on standby. People travelling to Chennai have also cancelled their trips. With extraordinary and bizarre scenes of grief and sorrow being played out on the streets of Tamilnadu the authorities are pulling out all stops to see that life doesn’t come to a complete stand-still – which despite all precautions in all likelihood will.
A colorful and controversial personality, a box-office breaking actress turned astute politician who inspires passionate loyalty Jayalalithaa’s life and career has seen many highs and lows. Introduced to politics by M G Ramachandran her one time co-star in films and later CM of Chennai, Jayalalithaa has had to fight many a dramatic battle to remain relevant. Sidelined initially, she took over the AIDMK after MGR-her political mentor’s death and made it her own. And despite her disappointments at the hustings and a couple of imprisonments for corruption her reinstatement as chief minister each time has not been without its moments of drama. She has been elected Chief Minister four times and her popularity today remains undiminished. Jayalalithaa’s outreach to the urban and rural poor with her many pro common-man policies and subsidised ‘Amma’ schemes has her won the unquestioned support of her followers. As well as the equally vocal opposition of her detractors for her over-the-top extravagant lifestyle. But unaffected by the criticism she appears completely wrapped up in her vision of what she believes is good for the people of Tamilnadu. Despite many unsavory charges against her and her core group her reputation as a determined leader who delivers is intact. And during her present term, she is credited with having turned Tamilnadu around into an economically viable and people/industry-friendly state.
With her main opposition DMK chief Karunanadhi ailing and admitted in the same hospital, the political future of Chennai is in a flux.
©Sreelata Menon
Photos from the Internet
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