Sir — J Jayalalithaa’s death overnight has thrown up a big question: Can the AIADMK survive her deathIJ A celluloid deity, Jayalalithaa was able to fill MG Ramachandran’s void in public consciousness. There is no charismatic leader to succeed her now.
O Panneerselvam, the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, is known only for his unabashed subservience to Amma. He might spring a surprise, but few expect him to. The AIADMK’s future remains uncertain in absence of a leader who could step into Jayalalithaa’s shoes.
On the other hand, like the AIADMK, regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Biju Janata Dal, too are dependent on personality cults of their supreme leaders. The AIADMK’s fate could be a lesson them.