In the post independence political scene in Tamil Nadu, MGR's expulsion from the then ruling DMK and his demise in 1987 could be reckoned as two watersheds. If the former had signalled the beginning of a true political challenge to the DMK, the latter was a defining moment to the AIADMK, which was just fifteen years old at that time. A group led by VN Janaki, wife of MGR dared J Jayalalitha's leadership.

Jayalalitha was elected General Secretary of the faction that she led. Of course, the very next year, after the two factions came together, she was again elected to the post. That marked her superiority in the party, over which she has been in total control thereafter.



She has been today re-elected as the General Secretary of the party for a sixth consecutive term.

The DMK could not get majority in the State Assembly until MGR was alive. Though Jayalalitha has not shown that much of indomitable and unconquerable might which MGR had, she has nevertheless proved that she could face up to the force of the DMK. She had had to face several allegations and court cases. At one stage, she was in fact almost written off. Like a phoenix, she came back with a bang.

Though the party doesn't have any representation in the Lower House of parliament, it has a sizeable number of MLAs in the State Assembly. She has proved herself to be a capable leader of the opposition.

The opposition in the State still remains divided and scattered. They hold demonstrations separately on similar or even the same issues. Today, she indicated that if other opposition parties came forward to hold joint protests, AIADMK will also take a step in that direction.

She is addressing a public meeting in Theni on September 14 to mark the beginning of the year-long centenary celebrations of Arignar Anna.

This might well be the commencement of the AIADMK's election campaign. And Puratchith thalaivi might contest the Lok Sabha polls from Theni. That is why perhaps Jayalalitha said her party saw for itself a bigger role at the national level after the polls!

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