Jayalalithaa: Just a propaganda vehicle fading into oblivion?

| First Published Jun 1, 2018, 2:45 PM IST

Just six months ago, when I hit the streets of Chennai during the much-hyped-about RK Nagar election, the city's lanes were dotted with late TN CM Jayalalithaa's posters.

Just six months ago, when I hit the streets of Chennai during the much-hyped-about RK Nagar election, the city's lanes were dotted with late TN CM Jayalalithaa's posters. Every candidate and every faction of AIADMK was riding on brand Amma. A man shunned by Jaya in 2011, TTV Dhinakaran, was back in the threshold of her constituency - RK Nagar - with her photo in his pocket, echoing her name in every sentence of his speech while campaigning.

The iron lady's portrait was fitted into a wooden frame to adorn the secretariat so the battered remains of the AIADMK, headed by Edappadi Palaniswamy and O Panneerselvam can continue to rule under her shadows, irrespective of the absence of a majority.

Poes Garden is a landmark in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The entire area used to scream Amma's presence in the palatial residence - Veda Nilayam. From Sasikala, who was her close confidante, to the last in the cadre, wanted a poster with Jaya dressing the walls, lamp posts and even tanks lining the road leading to this posh locality.

Just like how the party is bereft of its mother figure, this significant location reflects the profound absence of Jayalalithaa. Enter Binny Road from RK Salai in Chennai and walk up to the road leading to the star neighbours' residences - Rajinikanth and Jayalalithaa, you will find at least 50 posters of Kaala, but only 2 of Jayalalithaa.

No images to tell the tale of a leader that once was. And it makes me wonder if Jaya is reduced to just an election material. As the bard says: out of sight, out of mind!

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