Tamil Nadu’s Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) breathed her last in Chennai early on Monday. Here’s a look at Jayalalithaa’s life and the important milestones that resulted in the God-like devotion the beloved Amma enjoyed till the end:February 24, 1948: Jayalalithaa is born to Brahmin couple Jayaraman and Vedavalli in Mysore, Karnataka1961: Jayalalithaa starts her career in movies as a child artisteNovember 4, 1964: Stars in leading role in Kannada film Chinnada Gombe at the age of 161965: Debuts in Tamil film industry with Vennira Aadai, a box office hit
Many remember the moment Jayalalithaa was pushed off MGR’s funeral carriage by Janaki’s supporters1988: Janaki becomes chief minister but then PM Rajiv Gandhi dismisses her government in 21 days1989: DMK sweeps the elections but it is victory for Jaya nevertheless – her faction gets 27 seats. Janaki ends up with two and leaves the political stage foreverMarch 1989: A heated and ugly spat with CM Karunanidhi sees Jayalalithaa storming off the Assembly floor. A DMK minister allegedly tries to disrobe her. Hell hath no fury like Jayalalithaa insulted and defeating DMK becomes the sole purpose of her party1991: Jayalalithaa has her revenge and reduces DMK to a two-seat party in elections. Takes CM’s oath for the first time1992: It, however, isn’t smooth sailing as a pledge of austerity is followed by a lavish, multi-crore wedding for foster son Sudakaran. Allegations of corruption, land grab follow1996: Karunanidhi returns to power and Jaya cuts all ties with close aide and Sudarakan’s aunt Sasikala
In December, she is arrested on corruption charges and spends nearly a month in prison
Her legal troubles continue into the new millennium2001: AIADMK is back in power but an SC order bars Jaya from contesting elections. Enter loyalist O Panneerselvam who rules in her stead2003: Much-needed relief from the Madras HC sees a party MLA happily quitting to make way for a bypoll. Jaya is CM again2006: TN continues the pendulum swing between the two parties. DMK is back in power. Jaya is leader of opposition till 20112011: 2G scam unseats the DMK and Jaya becomes the CM for the third time
Soon after, Jaya throws Sasikala, who had slowly worked her way to the inner circle, out of the party and her house, only to take her back in againSeptember 27, 2014: Convicted in a disproportionate assets case filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 1996, Jaya goes to prison.
Panneerselvam takes her place temporarily and symbolically refuses to sit in the CM’s chairMay 2015: Cleared of the charge, Jaya is back in charge, this time stronger than everMay 2016: It’s AIADMK all the way in elections and Jaya is the first CM in 32 years to return to powerSeptember 22: Jaya is hospitalised with complaints of fever and dehydration. Reports over the next few weeks say the CM is recovering and would return home “soon”December 4: AIADMK says the CM has “completely recovered”, cites an AIIMS team
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