There's no match for Amma Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu

It's a historic win for J Jayalalithaa, fondly called as Amma in political circles as her party AIADMK won with a thumping majority in the just concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

With this, Jaya's party retains power in the Tamil state. This is also historic for the simple fact that AIADMK is the first party in Tamil Nadu to retain power for second straight term in 32 years.

Interestingly, most exit polls had predicted the return of DMK Chief M Karunanidhi to power. Now, with people putting their faith in his arch rival, Amma will remain in the same position as she is now. She is the second chief minister after MGR to be elected for a second consecutive term

Soon after the verdict was out, an elated Jaya expressed her gratitude thus: "We are indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for giving us a tremendous victory. I thank the people of Tamil Nadu for continuing to repose their faith and trust in me and I find that there aren't enough words in the dictionary to express my words of gratitude. I intend to show my gratitude through my actions."

Amma also added that her sole interest in life was to work for the people of her state. Celebrations began as early as 9.30 am outside Amma's residence in Chennai as early trends indicated a landslide victory for AIADMK.

After the win, Jaya vowed to keep the promises she made in the poll manifesto. Among other freebies, Jaya promised to gift cellphones, laptops and mixers to BPL families.

It's a known fact that Amma is hugely popular for her welfare schemes including the Amma canteens which provide hygenic food at affordable prices. The canteens are a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.

It is these schemes that largely scripted her success in the elections given that her votebank is largely the rural masses who willingly and wholeheartedly voted in her favour.

Moreover, Amma spent a whopping 2296 crores on providing 100 per cent subsidy to small and micro farmers and 75 per cent subsidy to other farmers.

The AIADMK chief also initiated a scheme where 10,000 farmers would be taken to foreign countries to learn about the latest scientific techniques. Subsidies on seeds, fertilisers, machinery, etc, was also provided by the Tamil Nadu government under her regime.

Social schemes such as free goats and milch cows for families also helped swing rural voters her way. Now, Jayalalithaa has added that all loans will be waived off for micro and small farmers. This has also worked in her favour.

Another commendable thing here is that Jaya decided to go alone and not seek any alliance to woo voters. She was the sole decision maker when it came to fielding candidates the result of which is for all to see. Amma is now basking in the glory of her best political decision as she can proudly say she won on her own merit which re-establishes her power.

The 'Puratchi Thalaivi' (Revolutionary Leader), has cemented her image as a fighter despite challenges that haunted her in the form of corruption cases forcing her to quit twice, only to make a comeback. "People have put a full stop to family rule. The historic win upholds democracy. I promise to make Tamil Nadu the number one state in the country," she asserted.

The people of Tamil Nadu have given their verdict which goes on to show that natural calamities (chennai floods) cannot be blamed on a politician. Her social work cannot be forgotten.

Amma J Jayalalithaa is back with a bang and how!

By Reshmi AR