Jayalalitha’s birth anniversary: ​​Important events that made an actor a successful Chief Minister

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J Jayalalitha is one of the leaders who has left an indelible mark in the history of Indian politics. Her journey from the glamorous world of films to the world of politics has been inspiring. Jayalalitha was fondly called ‘Amma’ by her supporters.

J Jayalalitha was a great actress and rose to prominence in the 1060s. She appeared in 140 films between 1961 and 1980, mainly in South Indian films. Jayalalitha was praised for her versatility as an actress and her dancing skills, and earned her the title “Queen of Tamil Cinema”. However, she has also served as the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu for more than 14 years, spanning six terms, from 1991 to 2016. She was also the longest serving general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The political party she joined in 1982.

J Jayalalitha was born on January 24, 1948. On the occasion of his 76th birth anniversary, let’s take a look at the key moments that became watershed moments. The film begins with a successful Chief Minister,

MGR’s influence

In Jayalalithaa’s career as a film star, one of her frequent co-stars was MG Ramachandran, popularly known as ‘MGR’. MGR received immense support as an actor and later as a politician. He founded the AIADMK party and was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu when Jayalalitha joined the party.

After a two decade long career In the film industry, it was MGR who started her political career. In many of her interviews, she often said that she came into films at the behest of her mother and into politics at the behest of MGR.

However, on the other hand, he also refuted claims that MGR was instrumental in bringing him into politics. His first public speech, in 1982, was given at the political conference of the AIADMK and was well received. Even the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi and Rajya Sabha member, Khushwant Singh attended his speech and appreciated him for his clarity of language and elegant prose.

Entry into electoral politics and controversy

Due to his proficiency in English, MGR wanted to make him a member of Rajya Sabha. In the 1984 Rajya Sabha elections, he defeated a senior DMK leader. Jayalalitha was one of the 16 special guests invited to attend the state dinner hosted by then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in honor of the then President of Yugoslavia at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

MGR taught him the lesson of welfare politics. When he fell ill, he campaigned extensively for the party ahead of the 1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, which the party won. Jayalalitha was accused of trying to capture the post of Chief Minister or the party by making the excuse of her health. After his death in 1987, the AIADMK split into two factions—one led by Jayalalitha and the other led by MGR’s wife Janaki.

At the age of 41, Jayalalitha entered the Assembly by successfully contesting the subsequent elections in 1989 on the basis of being the political successor to MGR. She was the first woman to be elected leader of the opposition in Tamil Nadu, the first Indian actress and the first woman to become an opposition leader in India.

However, his journey was full of turmoil. Jayalalithaa was attacked by ruling DMK members in front of the Assembly Speaker in 1989, when violence broke out between DMK and AIADMK MLAs after she called Karunanidhi a criminal. Jayalalitha came out of the assembly with her torn saree. At the height of the situation, Jayalalitha was about to leave the house, vowing not to enter the house “until she becomes Chief Minister”.

a successful chief minister

AIADMK forms alliance with Congress. Re-elected to the assembly, she became the youngest Chief Minister of the state and the first woman to serve a full term. Since then he never looked back. Despite being surrounded by controversies during her career, Jayalalitha maintained her political career and initiated various schemes for the state, especially for women and backward classes.

Jayalalitha was a resilient and determined person. His journey was dramatic and several filmmakers have announced biopics on him. She is still an inspirational personality, especially for women, and ‘Amma’ (mother) to her followers.