Jaya leads stir on public issue as Oppn Leader after 13 yrs

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Chennai, Jun 12 (UNI) Thirteen years after she undertook a fast on the sands of Marina on the vexed Cauvery issue as Chief Minister, AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today took to the streets again on a public issue as Leader of the Opposition.

The AIADMK supremo, who led a statewide demonstration against the Centre for effecting oil price hike, also shared dias for the first time with leaders of her electoral allies, including MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, raising many an eyebrow in political circles.

The failure of Ms Jayalalithaa to address a joint public meeting with allies during election campaign had not only drawn criticism but also proved to be disadvantageous to the AIADMK-led Democratic People's Alliance.

Contrary to expectations that the AIADMK's defeat in the Assembly elections would have dampened her spirit, Ms Jayalalithaa seemed to have decided to take on both the DMK Government and Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre with renewed vigour.

After springing a surprise on her political rivals by taking over the mantle of Leader of the Opposition after a gap of 17 years and attending Assembly proceedings as the sole AIADMK representative in the wake of en masse suspension of her party MLAs, Ms Jayalalithaa has made yet another political score by hitting the streets on a issue of national importance.

Determined to exploit the compulsions and constraints of a 'minority government' formed by the DMK in the state, Ms Jayalalithaa not only shared the dais with her allies today but also, in a rare gesture, raised hands together with them in a show of strength.

She also addressed MDMK General Secretary as her 'Annan' (elder brother) and DPI leader Thol Tirumavalavan as 'Thambi' (younger brother).

Ms Jayalalithaa's active role as an Opposition leader now was in total contrast to her subdued performance during 1996-2001 when her party was voted out of power and she herself suffered a humiliating defeat at the hustings.

During the five-year period, she restrictedh herself to only issuing statements on public issues and never appeared in the public on any issue.

UNI AKN GM RL DS1600

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