Jaya defies incumbency, secures historic mandate

There were “no words in the dictionary,” Jayalalithaa said to describe her gratitude to the people of the state. “I have no other interest in life except to work for the people of Tamil Nadu,” the reclusive Chief Minister added.

She retained R K Nagar constituency defeating DMK rival by 39,545 votes. Jayalalithaa secured 97,218 votes against Shimla Muthuchozhan who polled 57,673 votes. Celebrations were raucous outside her home in Chennai on Friday with supporters declaring victory by 9.30 am.

It is a clear win for Jayalalithaa, giving her a fourth term as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Further, this is the first time since the death of former Tamil Nadu CM M G Ramachandra Menon or MGR in 1987, that a party will return to power for a consecutive second time in Tamil Nadu. 

The AIADMK was founded by MGR in 1972 as a breakaway group of the DMK. Using his popularity as a Tamil actor, MGR created a strong political base for himself.  He became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977 and remained in power for three consecutive terms till his death in 1987.

Since the death of MGR, the government of Tamil Nadu has been alternating between the DMK, led by Karunanidhi, and the AIADMK, led by Jayalalithaa. This election marks a drastic change in this pattern, with Jaya retaining her seat of victory for a second consecutive term.

For Jayalalithaa, MGR was the one of the most important influences in her life, her political mentor. Arguably, MGR was the one who introduced the actor to a political career, though she has rubbished such reports and claims to have joined politics on her own choice. 

As Jayalalithaa takes oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu this year, she would be carrying ahead the tradition set by her ‘political Guru’.

Most exit polls had predicted that the 67-year-old’s arch rival, M Karunanidhi, and his DMK would return to power in a continuum of the “yo-yo trend” of which Tamil Nadu has been a long-time subscriber.

But as counting of votes accelerated, the leaders who were seen walking into Karunanidhi’s home refused to comment on camera, indicating an acceptance of defeat. Karunanidhi is 93, and in a wheelchair, but had committed to serving as Chief Minister if the DMK was elected, an announcement which caused considerable heartache for his son, MK Stalin and his considerable supporters.