South India’s Superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday paid tribute to late Chief Minster Jayalalithaa, comparing her as a ‘Kohinoor diamond’ who had achieved whatever she desired after facing several difficulties in a male-dominant society.
Superstar Rajinikanth remembered his statement against Jayalalithaa during a meeting
Rajinikanth recalled his strong statements against her during the 1966 Assembly polls, which had hurt her in a condolence meeting which was organized by the South Indian Artistes’ Association or the Nadigar Sangam for Jayalalithaa and actor cum journalist Cho Ramaswami.
“I had hurt her. I was a key reason for her (party’s) defeat,” he said, referring to his criticism of the then AIADMK government. The actor had then famously remarked that “even god can’t save Tamil Nadu” if Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK was elected to power again. The then DMK-TMC (Tamil Maanila Congress) combine had swept the polls amid strong anti-incumbency. Jayalalithaa, however, later proved to be a “golden-hearted” leader, Rajinikanth said.
Rajinikanth: Jayalalitha achieved fame by her hard work
Paying rich tribute to Amma and iconic leader Jayalalithaa, he said it was with great difficulty that she could take over the wheel of the AIADMK following the death of its founder and her political mentor MG Ramachandran and that she had even overtaken him in achievements. He compared her to a diamond, saying the challenges of life had further polished her.
She had lost her father at the age of two and mother 20years later. She faced several problems and challenges in her life including having no family but achieved fame by her hard work in a male dominated society.
“Today, she is resting like a Kohinoor diamond at the MGR memorial site and enjoys the love and affection of so many people,” he added. He also paid rich tributes to Ramaswamy, his long time friend.
Jayalalithaa was hospitalized on September 22 and having a cardiac arrest on December 4, she passed away the next day. On the other hand, Ramaswamy, a veteran journalist, satirist, playwright, and actor died of illness on December 7.
