By Ruma Dubey

Aayirathil Oruval. That’s how Tamilians will remember iconic Jayalalitha.

To hold her steed in a predominantly masculine world is no small feat. Though she got the advantage of a great beginning in films (her mother was a well-known character actress) and in politics (her mentor was MGR), full credit to her that she could stay there and climb up further.

Jayalaitha probably represents the last that we see of personality politics. The fact there was no leader in sight in AIADMK, not just in second place but also in third place, shows how it was her personality alone which held the party together. An iorn lady in the true sense, her journey from "Ammu" to "Amma" is unbelievable.

Yet, one could not help but cringe at the way in which even cabinet ministers prostrated in front of her and the way she had built up a personality of being almost a Goddess, larger than life. The display of devotion was simply beyond comprehension, at least for those of us not living in Tamil Nadu. The huge outpouring of emotions, first on news of her illness and then her death simply defies all logic – Tamilians by nature are always projected as stoic, rarely displaying emotions. But the chest beating and wails of grief by people makes one question the very stereotypical ‘image’ of Tamilians that we have drawn in our minds. Even in North India, there are iconic leaders but there too, or anywhere else in India, have we seen such a display of emotion. Thus at this time one cannot help but wonder what really makes a Tamil Nadu politician?

Movie stars are HUGE in the state; Rajanikanth is an example of how a movie star is deified. He is probably the only one person in the state who could once again turn politics more about personality and less about politics. Vijayakanth is another popular Tamil hero and he has his own party – DMDK but he does not enjoy the cult status. Khushboo is another very popular actress and she has flitted from DMK to Congress now; there was a time when fans used to worship her in a temple where she was placed as a deity but all that has changed now. At least now in the immediate, we do not see any large than life personality which will dominate the state’s politics.

With the end of Jayalalitha, the political scenario in Tamil Nadu has become very uncertain. Naturally, this is the time when DMK will try to make the most of the void left behind by its most formidable opponent. Panneerselvam, the CM of Tamil Nadu as of now is a natural choice and he was the once chosen by Jayalalitha herself in 2014. The MLAs and even Sasikala probably realized that this was the best choice, rather than put the power of AIADMK in jeopardy by getting into infighting. Sasikala has been the de facto “remote control” for years, a companion who always stood behind Jayalalitha, wielding tremendous amount of power. It would be interesting to see how Panneerselvam turns around his loyalty from Amma to Sasikala. Coincidentally, Karunanidhi of DMK is also currently in bad health and his son, Stalin is the new power to be. Jayalalitha made Tamil Nadu the Detroit of Asia and the economic progress of the state is equal to or more than that of Gujarat. It is considered to one of the most secure states to do business in. One cannot help but wonder where the state will now head, politically and economically.

For years now, politics in Tamil Nadu was only about DMK and AIADMK. For the first time in decades, we could probably see a new scene emerging, maybe a new star on the horizon. The political conundrum in Tamil Nadu has indeed become unpredictable and a continuous amorphous matter.