Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Woman of substance” (December 7). When J Jayalalithaa’s mentor, MG Ramachandran died, she was waiting in the wings to don his mantle and soon, she established a stranglehold over the AIADMK and led it to power four years later.
Amma projected herself as the true protector of Tamilian rights by citing favourable Supreme Court orders on Mullaperiyar Dam and sharing of Cauvery’s waters. Unfortunately, for Jayalalithaa, years were marked by secrecy, corruption and nepotism, unabashed sycophancy that fanned her personality cult, repression of the media, defamation cases, spats with the Centre and battles with neighbouring States over water-sharing.
The personality cult, that dominated Tamil politics, has left a more pressing question unanswered: Can the AIADMK throw up another figure to the rival or match MGR and JayalalithaaIJ For no such charismatic personality hovers on the sidelines now.