The Tragic Career of Jayalalitha as Tamil Nadu CM: A Twist of Fortune and a Legacy of Controversy

Jayalalitha, known by her full name J Jayalalithaa, was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a total of 16 years, winning a remarkable four elections in 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2016. However, her tenure was marked by significant controversies and political intrigue, which ultimately ended with her untimely death.

Achieving the Highest Office 4 Times

Despite the differing accounts on the number of times she served as the Chief Minister, it is clear that Jayalalitha had a profound impact on Tamil Nadu's political landscape. She was elected in 1991 and served for a brief period until 2000, then again from 2011 to 2016, concluding a partially completed term.

Second Term and Judicial Harassment

Her second term as the Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011 was marked by significant judicial challenges. In 2008, she was ordered to serve four years of rigorous imprisonment for having assets disproportionate to her known sources of income. This case was filed by Anbazhagan, the General Secretary of the DMK, who recently passed away at the age of 98. The case was orchestrated by the veteran politician Karunanidhi, nicknamed the old fox.

The Karnataka High Court judge Kunha found her guilty and awarded her a four-year sentence, along with a Rs. 100 crore fine. However, the judgment was not final; her associates Sasikala and Ilavarasi were also sentenced with lesser fines.

Appeal and a Senexus Verdict

Jayalalitha appealed the judgment, and a single judge from the Karnataka High Court, who had previously cleared her in a separate case, recalculated the income and declared her innocent, allowing her to be released. This judgment was made in December 2016, just a month before her death. The Karnataka Government further appealed to the Supreme Court, which eventually reversed the High Court's verdict and convicted Jayalalitha and others in 2017.

During her imprisonment, Jayalalitha appointed her trusted aide as the Acting Chief Minister. She served a total of four months in prison, during which time her trust in her aide played a crucial role in maintaining some semblance of governance in Tamil Nadu.

Legacy and Posthumous Judgment

Upon her election in 2016, Jayalalitha secured a resounding victory, but her political challenges did not conclude with her re-election. She passed away in December 2016 due to a sudden illness, and the case was reserved for judgment by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the judgment was pronounced only one month after her death, solidifying the convictions against her and her associates.

The tragic life and career of Jayalalitha serve as a poignant reminder of the political and judicial challenges faced by public figures in modern-day India, where personal success often coexists with significant legal and personal turmoil.