(Pics) A story: 10,000 sarees took Jaya down, Modi rode high on 20,000 fans

New Delhi, Sept 30: Not all the Rags to Riches story have happy endings. At least that is what the Indian political scenario has shown us as on today. Jayalalitha going to jail and Narendra Modi winning fans in a foreign land are cases in point.

Both started from the scratch; to be more specific, Narendra Modi had to struggle harder. But the outcome is for all of us to see.

The stories of the two top leaders are different indeed, especially when they are weighed economically and politically. While one endured the 'black-sheep' mark with the 2002 Gujarat riots, the other one ended up in a ghetto where her iconic image was ruined for her own blasphemy.

From Modi to 'Modison'

The life and time of Narendra Modi is not unknown to us. The son of a tea seller is now turning a popular stadium in the US as a platform for his ideas.

It is hard to believe that this very man, who was banned from the US, was received with open arms. That ways, he has set an example of 'setting things right' the right way.

Modi's claim to fame and his success in the Lok Sabha elections was his poll pitch on development development of ports, and a manufacturing economy that forms an integral part of global supply chains. Many misinterpreted it as a self-proclamation in the context of Gujarat, but failed to understand that many states with similar resources are losing out on it.

Jaya's 18 years of goof-ups and Modi's economic mantra

Tamil Nadu's state of affairs would be a classic case study here. It has almost similar resources like Gujarat-a long coastline and a splendid network of ports.

Post the economic reforms in the 1990s, Tamil Nadu was started early in big manufacturing but slumped in the past decade. Due to corruption and infrastructure deficit, apart from power problem, the state was driven into a slumber.

Modi on the other hand, acted promptly on the corruption and power part and made Gujarat investor-friendly. It was gradually turned into a car hub when Hyundai, the South Korean automobile company, announced it would build its new plant not in its traditional Indian home of Sriperumbudur, but in Gujarat.

'Amma', not the buzzword anymore, the political turnaround

It was evident from the Lok Sabha election campaigns that Modi was increasing hovering in the minds of the people in Tamil Nadu too.

Jaya already had a rival with DMK and she had to struggle in various pockets of the state to counter it. Now, an added 6-party alliance with BJP was creating more trouble, more so because it was Modi (BJP), PMK (backed by the Vanniyar community and led by the Ramadoss family), the DMDK of actor 'Captain' Vijayakanth, and maverick politician Vaiko's MDM-all on one side.

Moreover, while modi was talking development in his campaigns in Tamil Nadu, Amma was busy boasting of her sops and estimating the number of seats she may win.

Precisely, Jaya's cause of irritation and contention, which led her to criticizing Modi and using barbed, articulate words against him.

The idea behind 10,500 sarees, 750 pairs of shoes

Jaya first caught the media attention during her son's wedding, when the Mandapa itself was as big as 75,000 square feet; the jewellery she adorned and the guests she invited. When questioned about her property, which comprises 10,500 sarees (some very costly), 750 pairs of shoes and expensive watches, she said these were mementoes from her acting career. She further said that she had not acquired any property during her previous tenure from 1991-96, except for the 31A residence at Poes Garden in Chennai.

Indeed, Jaya's stardom was limited and short-lived. The riches were to turn to rags and her staunch rival was to shine-bright and high.

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam gets emotional

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam gets emotional while taking oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Monday.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other AIADMK leaders get emotional

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other AIADMK leaders get emotional at their swearing-in ceremony in absence of party chief J Jayalalithaa at Raj Bhavan, Chennai on Monday.

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam puts a picture

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam puts a picture of jailed party chief J Jayalalithaa in his pocket while taking oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Monday.

Emotionally overwhelmed AIADMK leaders

Emotionally overwhelmed AIADMK leaders during their oath ceremony in absence of party chief J Jayalalithaa at Raj Bhavan, Chennai on Saturday.

AIADMK leader B Valarmathy breaks down

AIADMK leader B Valarmathy breaks down while taking oath as a Minister in absence of party chief J Jayalalithaa at Raj Bhavan, Chennai on Saturday.

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam in a sombre mood at Raj Bhavan

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam in a sombre mood at Raj Bhavan after being sworn-in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in Chennai on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the audience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the audience during a reception organised in his honour by the Indian American Community Foundation at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the audience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the audience during a reception organised in his honour by the Indian American Community Foundation at Madison Square Garden.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures while addressing the audience during a reception organised in his honour by the Indian American Community Foundation at Madison Square Garden

The Madison Square Garden is packed with supporters

The Madison Square Garden is packed with supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a reception organised in his honour by the Indian American Community Foundation, in New York on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greets Indian Americans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greets Indian Americans on his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC on Monday.

Supporters cheer during a reception

Supporters cheer during a reception organised in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Indian American Community Foundation at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the audience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the audience during a reception organised in his honour by the Indian American Community Foundation at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people outside

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people outside his hotel upon his arrival in New York on Friday.