"It's been a tempestuous life, and career," said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in an interview. And it was indeed true. Be it her acting career, her struggle to make her own position in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, or her molestation in the State Assembly, Amma carved her own space and gained a cult-like following.
It was her film career that paved way for her political one. MGR chose her and inducted her into the party owing to his own vested interest in the votes she could rake in. She was appointed the party's Propaganda Secretary in 1983, and from 1984 to 1989, served as an MP in the Rajya Sabha. Her tenure as the chief minister has been marked with a display of near mania, by her admirers and party workers. She was known for being controlling, and keeping both, her party and the government tight with an iron fist. She wasn't yielding to insubordination or criticism. An example of it could be seen in a Supreme Court observation this August that said she must learn to take criticism as she was a public figure.
As she took the seat in 1991, she shocked everyone by declaring she would take a monthly salary of Re 1. However, later when the Karunanidhi government came to power, she was arrested in connection with a Rs 8.53 Crore colour television scandal. Jaya was also caught up in a major disproportionate assets case, and was sentenced to four years in prison, however, her conviction was overturned by the Karnataka High Court which said the trial court had miscalculated her expenditure and assets. The brief period when she stayed in jail saw over 200 people immolate themselves in protest for their beloved leader.
TAKING CONTROL OF AIADMK POST-MGR
Actor turned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran has a long list of achievements. One of them being the one to introduce Jaya to the world of politics. After his death on December 24, 1987, the AIADMK visibly split into two factions- one that pledged loyalty to his legal wife Janaki, and the other that was with Jaya. It was more personal than political for the former as she felt she had a score to settle with her competitor.
Senior leaders still remember the image of Jayalalithaa being pushed, pinched, and abused by party leaders like KP Ramalingam from atop the gun carriage carrying MGR's body during his funeral processsion. However, none of them were able to shake her away from her mentor, not even his own living wife. Personally chosen and initiated into the party in 1982 by MGR, Jaya who had a raging film career behind her, had her own massive fan following. However, even though he himself groomed her, stopped short of announcing her as his political heir.
Two weeks after her husband's death, Janaki was sworn in as TN's first woman Chief Minister. The government was somehow shortlived and lasted mere 22 days before hell broke loose at the State Assembly on the day of the vote of confidence. Two days later, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi invoked Article 356 of the Constitution and dismissed her government. The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu remained under President's Rule for well over a year before elections were held in January 1989.
After the elections, Janaki announced her decision to withdraw from politics, leaving the ball in Jaya's court.
FROM THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO CHIEF MINISTER: THE POINT THAT TURNED JAYA TO AMMA
March 25, 1989. Jayalalithaa, the Leader of the Opposition and the first woman in the state to occupy that position, was assaulted in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The grave animosity that brewed in the state politics can be witnessed in the incident that marked the birth of matriarchy in a much rooted patriarch society. DMK leader M Karunanidhi was two months into his third term as Chief Minister, and Jaya had just managed to put back together the AIADMK following her mentor MGR's death.
While there are different accounts of what went on in the Assembly session that day, every story has the same ending; a disheveled woman emerged in front of the media in a torn saree, only to comeback with a legacy that boasts of her leadership even today. A case of cheating had been filed against Jayalalithaa's aide Natarajan, under which pretext, the police had raided his house in Madras. Later, Jaya wrote to the Speaker stating she was resigning as MLA with effect from March 15, 1989, which was leaked to the press.
A week later, writes journalist Vaasanthi in her book 'Cut-outs, Caste and Cine Stars', then CM Karunanidhi was preparing to present the budget at the Assembly, but before he could begin, the deputy leader of the Congress, Kumari Anandan said the police had acted undemocratically and in a high-handed manner against the leader of the opposition. Jaya shouted at Karuna and objected to him presenting the budget. What followed was a mix up of different stories, some stating the CM covered the microphone and hurled personal remarks at the future CM and others blaming Jaya for pushing Karuna. Pandemonium broke, violence ensued and DMK and AIADMK MLAs began hitting each other.
Deputy leader of opposition Thirunavakkarasu, AIADML MLA KKSSR Ramachandran and Congress leader GK Moopanar formed a human shielf around Jaya, but as she made her way out of the House, DMK minister Durai Murugan rushed towards her and tried to hit her, tearing her saree in the process. Jaya left the building that day, vowing never to return until the DMK government is dismissed and "until conditions are created under which a woman may attend the Assembly safely." A few days after the incident, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited her in the hospital- a beginning of a pivotal alliance.
The humiliation and the anger following the incident boosted the leader's grit to make a place for herself in the male-dominated sphere. Riding on public sympathy, Gandhi's assassination, and the anti-incumbency in the DMK, the AIADMK-Congress coalition marked a landslide victory with Jaya becoming the CM for the first time in 1991.
AMMA: THE MOTHER OF POPULIST SCHEMES
Jayalalithaa's tenure as Chief Minister is specked with freebies and schemes that made 'Amma' brand a hallmark in the southern state. From Amma canteens to gymnasiums and parks, the brand was as effective as the lady herself. A culture that was kickstarted by Karunanidhi of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, it Thalaivi who mastered it.
The Cradle baby scheme
The first-ever welfare scheme launched by the AIADMK when it came to power, it was aptly launched as Tamil Nadu was gaining notoriety in gender-based abortions. The scheme allowed mothers to anonymously hand over their new-born children to the government which would take care of them or give them for adoptions. Over the years, government-run orphanages now see fewer babies coming in.
Thalikku Thangam Thittam
Meaning Gold for Marriage, the scheme was a part of the party's 2006 manifesto and was effectively implemented when Amma came to power in 2011. Named after social activist Moovalur Ramamirtham, the scheme gives four grams of gold and cash up to Rs 50,000 to financially backward women who hold a degree or diploma. She had promised to raise the amount of gold recently.
Amma Unavagam
The first populist scheme with the brand 'Amma' on it, city corporation-run canteens offered food for as cheap as Re 1. They are one of the most successful schemes in the state and are run and maintained by women Self Help Groups.
Amma Kudineer
Perhaps the most inexpensive packaged mineral water available in the Indian market, the TN government sells water for Rs 10 a litre from 2013.
Amma Kudineer Thittam
Earlier this year, Jaya introduced a scheme to supply upto 20 litres of drinking water per family per day, to those who cannot afford to buy purified drinking water. Around 200 water kiosks function in Chennai alone, supplying potable water through vending machines.
Amma Laptops
One of the most landmark populist measures from AIADMK, the government gave away free laptops from higher-secondary and college students studying in government and government-aided institutions. Uttar Pradesh followed suit and implemented the scheme too.
Amma baby care kits
Mothers giving birth at government hospitals get 16 types of baby products worth Rs 1000, for free. The kit comes in a carry bag and comprises of a baby towel, dress, bed, mosquito net, napkin, baby oil, baby soap, bath soap, soap box, liquid sanitizer, nail cutter, rattle, doll, and ‘Sowbhaghya Legiyam’ (a medicinal preparation to improve mother’s health).
Amma salt
An affordable quality common salt made by the Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation which comes in three variations- Double Fortified Salt, Refined Free Flow Iodises Salt, and Low Sodium Salt. Made available through government-run PDS outlets.
Amma cement
This scheme was launched at a time when cement prices were hitting the roof. Tamil Nadu Cements Limited would sell cement for as cheap as Rs 190 a bag of 50 kg. They are stocked and sold through Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.
Amma grinder, mixie, table fan
After the party came back to power in 2011, its first budget allotted Rs 1250 Crore for providing free table fan, mixie, and grinder to the poor. In the next five years, the AIADMK not only covered a large base, but also opened exclusive repair and maintenance centre for the electronics.
Amma seeds
Amma Seeds was launched this year to encourage farmers to use certified seeds for sowing. The Tamil Nadu State Seeds Development Agency implements the scheme that would give away seeds for free. The agency also provides subsidised kits for the urban folks to cultivate vegetable farming in smaller land and roof-tops.
Pannai Pasumai Nugarvor Kootturavu Kadai
Cooperative fair price vegetable shops sell farm-fresh vegetables in cities at low costs. With a massive price variation, the scheme ensures produce is sold out within hours.
Amma service centre
Local bodies hold Amma Makkal Sevai Maiyam every Wednesday to facilitate delivery of public services such as issue of birth and death certificates, trade licenses, ration cards, drinking water and sewage connections, permission for building and others.
Amma call centre
Call toll free 1100 for any kind of public grievance. Details given by callers will be sent to officials concerned through e-mail, phone call and text messages. Callers would also be informed about the officer who has been informed of the complaint and the action taken on it.
Special Amma camps
Government officials visit villages and solve their grievances of the public at their doorstep. Dates are announced in advance through public broadcast systems.
Amma mobiles
Free mobile phones were given to SHGs. The monthly cost for operating the phones would be borne by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women.
Amma pharmacy
These fair price pharmacies sell both, branded and generic drugs priced lower than the market rates. Since they are procured directly from drug companies, they are sold with a lesser profit margin, giving pharma retailers something to chew on.
Amma micro loans scheme
Launched with an aim to provide micro loans for small traders, through this Amma scheme, traders can avail loan upto Rs 500 from banks and the government will pay the interest. They can repay as little as Rs 200 a week. Those who pay on time are eligible for higher loans upto Rs 25,000.
Amma Arogya Thittam
This scheme offers master-health check-ups through government-run laboratories and assures treatment through public health centres and government hospitals. Cost of a check up is one-fifth of what private centres offer. Investigations includes tests for cardiac function, cancer and diabetes. Women can avail separate package such as pap smear and mammogram, vitamin D level, bone density test and parathyroid hormone levels.
Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme
Jaya scrapped the existing government health insurance scheme in 2012, and launched the comprehensive health insurance scheme. Popularly called the Amma mediclaim, each family is assured Rs 1 lakh per annum for a total period of four years. The updated scheme would cover 1016 procedures, 113 follow up procedures and 23 diagnostic procedures. Cost of tests required would also be part of the insurance cover.
Amma Theatre project
Envisaged by Chennai Corporation’s budget under which U-certified Tamil films are screened in corporation-run theatres for as low as Rs. 10 per ticket.
Amma Gyms
The Amma gymnasiums will be constructed in rural areas with an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakh each. These gymnasiums will be attached to a park.
