Going by the literal meaning of her name Jaya Lalitha (Victory-Player), her strategic games of polity aren't surprising at all. The title is a light pun on the powerful lady politician's name and political traits. Ideally, the title should've been: "Aren't You Ashamed at All? Madam Jaya!" This blog is my attempt to translate Pratap Simha's article on Jayalalitha's unending ballot-fixated tantrums, and the strategic threats India faces in the Indian Ocean, after the souring of Indo-Lanka relations over the issue of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Along with a decision to release life-term serving convicts namely Nalini, Robert Paes, Jayakumar, and Ravichandran, the TN cabinet has also decided to release three other convicts namely: Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan. On further proceedings of the cabinet resolution, Tamil Nadu government did loop the center in on their decision. In response, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has written back calling Tamil Nadu's release of the seven prisoners as "legally untenable and against the principles of justice."!!
After the court had agreed that the center could file a fresh petition the Tamil Nadu government's remittance of four convicts Nalini Sriharan, Robert Pyas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran; the Central Government moved the Apex court against the TN Government's resolution. And fortunately, the SC has restrained the TN government from releasing the convicts till March 06, 2014, when the court has said it will deal with the next proceedings. Meanwhile, a bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam agreed to hear the Centre's plea on February 27, 2014. And in her firm resolve to out punch Congress and the DMK in this high-voltage politico-legal bout, Jayalalitha has announced to counter Centre’s plea against Rajiv Gandhi’s killers in SC.
At this stage, it is uncertain which way the judgement would go. However, Jayalalitha's (error of) judgement seems to have evoked a feeling of dejection and disgust against politics and politicians. For the chairs of PM and CM, political gains, and for the cause of appeasement, we've witnessed how our politicians compromise on values and ideologies, display meanness, and posture themselves in mutual fights. But, it perhaps is impossible for any other politician to drop to the depths that Jayalalitha has descended to.
Why don't we find a categorically short answer to this long question: "How shamelessly crooked could be this leader, who has openly come forward to release the killers of a former prime minister, purely for political gains?"
Doesn't Jayalalitha have at least the primal fear or shame that she brought even a VIP as important as Rahul Gandhi to a pitiable state, as he reacted with apparent, pain-filled words: "If a Prime Minister's killers are being released, what kind of justice should the common man expect?"
At this juncture, a number of questions stare the nation in the face. When do we put an end to this insolvent Tamilnadu polity, which sacrifices our very national interest? Are these convicts Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan in all reality, proud sons of Tamil Nadu? For, what grand attainment, did these convicts kill Rajiv Gandhi? And, what grand sins had Rajiv Gandhi committed to get killed at the first place?
By the year 1983, with its clear goals of creating the Eelam (an exclusive Tamil realm), the LTTE had started to cause headaches to the then Sri Lankan Government. Daily assaults had started to become the norm. Completely dependant on its tourism industry for its survival, the island nation started to see severe financial crisis as a result of LTTE's terror. It was at then, that Sri Lanka reached out to the neighbouring India for help. On July 27, 1987, India's then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayawardene signed a historic Indo-Lanka Peace accord. As a part of the accord's pledge of Indian military assistance, India inducted its peace-keeping force (IPKF) to help Sri Lanka establish peace and normalcy. Finding themselves under pressure, the LTTE had initially agreed to surrender arms to the IPKF. However, that was just a temporary tactic used by the LTTE to bid for time. Having secretly weapon-equipped its mercenary forces, the LTTE declared to achieve its Eelam objectives through an armed struggle. This declaration meant India's IPKF would also be trapped in the armed conflict. Under severe guerrilla attacks of the LTTE, India lost 1200 of its troops and the Sri Lankan Army lost 5000 of its forces. Despite this, Rajiv Gandhi didn't recall the IPKF. After Congress under Rajiv Gandhi lost the 1989 general elections, V. P. Singh became the next prime minister, and recalled the IPKF. At this juncture, the LTTE had heaved a sigh of relief. Also, LTTE used this as an opportunity to strengthen its forces, thus intensifying its armed struggle. Back in India, V.P. Singh's and Chandrasekhar's governments collapsed within the span of two years, calling for elections to be conducted again in the year 1991. It was certain that Congress would regain power. The LTTE also learnt that Rajiv Gandhi would again set sail India's IPKF ships to Lanka as soon as he would regain power. They also realized that it would be very difficult to get rid of him if he would become the PM again. So, they set forth to finish him at Sriperumbudur on his election campaign. This task of assassinating Rajiv Gandhi was assigned by the LTTE leader Prabhakaran to the one-eyed-jack Prabhakaran and Murugan. Working as energetic partners along with Murugan were the same Perarivalan, and Santhan. All the three of this team brutes had already received a death sentence in the year 1999. However, in the year 2000, a mercy petition went to the President's desk. However, the honorable president of the day preferred to sit over the petition files, than to arrive at a just judgment. In 2011, after eleven-and-half years, the then president rejected the plea. Again, an appeal was made to the apex court against this presidential plea rejection. On Tuesday (February 19, 2014), in a landmark judgment, the apex court commuted the death sentence on Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan, into life term on the grounds of the eleven-plus-year delay in the Presidential disposal of their mercy petitions. It is at this juncture, that the opportunist politician in Jayalalitha came to the fore.
With sights set on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, and using the Apex court's judgement as an excuse, Jayalalitha set forth to immediately release all the seven convicts. On the other hand, Central government also prepping up for the forthcoming elections risks being seen as anti-Tamil if they oppose any move by the Tamil Nadu government. Jayalalitha's prime opponents, the DMK and actor Vijayakanth's DMDK have also been caught in a dilemma. They can neither oppose, nor do they have a choice not to support. By supporting the release, it is a deviation from their anti-AIADMK values. Also, all the political gains will garnered by Jayalalitha's. It is the end of the story if they dare oppose it. With a strict political point of view, this definitely is the best missile to have been fired by Jayalalitha. However, ethically, she has just hit the rock bottom.
So is she the kind of a lady who wouldn't hesitate to do anything for political gains? Besides, is it an ordinary crime to kill our nation's former prime minister? What is with the strange Tamil psyche, which accommodates empathy even for the killers of our prime minister? Having created a Navodaya school for every district, Rajiv Gandhi had grown in popularity for reducing the minimum voter age limit from 21 to 18 years, thus allowing youth to participate and decide the future of the nation. Did these killers become dearer than even the nation's popular former prime minister?
And, why do you think did Rajiv Gandhi set sail IPKF ships from India to the Lankan shores?
If, India wouldn't have agreed to send their forces, our arch enemies, the Pakistanis and the Chinese would have sent off their forces. Both these nations were eager on their toes. So, by sending the IPKF, Rajiv Gandhi had ensured neither Pakistan nor China could set foot anywhere into the Indian Ocean's territorial waters. If you're not a believer in this pro-Rajiv theory, remember what happened in the year 2008-09? When their army had initiated an all-out military operation against the LTTE, Sri Lanka had requested India to fulfill its weaponry and ammunition needs. But, for the UPA government of the day, the support of DMK was more important. Bogged down by this Tamil blackmail, Manmohan Singh did not respond to Sri Lanka's requisition. Then, the Chinese emerged to aid the Sri Lankans. Having weeded the LTTE out, the Sri Lankan government has come out of its civil-war crisis. Also, in reciprocation, they've shown gratitude towards China for the help in weapons' supply. Now, the situation in Sri Lanka is: whenever there is a new government formed, the first invite is sent to the Chinese government. Before the Chinese arrival, these invites would come to the neighborhood's big brother India. With the premise of port renovation and developmental works for Sri Lanka, China has set base in the Indian Ocean. Having received access to the Arabian Sea through a similar developmental project at Pakistan's Gwadar port and making their presence in the the Bay of Bengal with the Bangla-Burma port project, now having arrived even in the Indian Ocean, the Chinese seem to have encircled India even at sea. Now, we can challenge Jayalalitha if Rajeev Gandhi really committed a blunder by sending the IPKF to Sri Lanka. If he hadn't committed any blunder, Madam Jaya Lalitha! For what noble cause do you plan to set these Rajeev-killer ruffians free? To accommodate this political madness of Tamil Nadu, for how long do we sacrifice our national interest?
There was a time when even Jayalalitha was under life-threat from the LTTE. Today for the greed of the Ballot box, is it not trajical that this very Jayalalitha has come to the support of these very separatist forces? This lady seems to be made of an extremely crazy psychological mettle. Whenever the DMK is in power, the Cauvery water sharing issue never assumes the form of a serious dispute. It is a mess whenever this lady is in power. Before Vajpayee's government fell by a single vote in 1998, was her histrionics any less harmful? After a week-long taunt of promises to give the BJP her support letter, Pramod Mahajan was declined entry into her home after disembarking at the Chennai airport, and he had to return empty-handed. Even after this incident, the BJP didn't seem to have learnt their lessons. When she ensured MDMK's Vaiko had remained jailed for a good 17 months utilizing BJP's very own POTA legislation, BJP had remained silent like a sly, pet cat. In 2004, the BJP could have retained power, had they not stuck to their attitude of aligning with Jayalalitha, even at the expense of loyal partners such as the DMK. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, DMK and its allies won all of the Tamil nadu's 40 seats. Her vocabulary doesn't seem to include the loyalty word. Again in 2011, she had an alliance with actor Vijayakanth's DMDK. But, as soon as her AIADMK party gained majority on its own strength, she dumped DMDK. Here is another episode: Don't we all remember how almost overnight, she ousted her once-confidant Shashikala and her foster-son in the year 2012. It was Narendra Modi who had tipped Jayalalitha about how Shashikala was trying to dislodge her through administering slow poison, and was trying to become the next CM. After having confirmed the truth of Sasikala's coup, Jayalalitha had her ousted, and developed a great sense of gratitude toward Narendra Modi. However, when signs of Modi's prime ministership became clear, and when the BJP declared him as their prime ministerial candidate, she did not even bother to display the courtesy of congratulating him. However, Modi is cleverer than her. He has managed to attract Tamil Nadu's old NDA allies, the PMK and the MDMK. There is no possibility of the BJP winning even a single seat in Tamil Nadu. Despite this, Narendra Modi has been instrumental in turning the winds of change toward the BJP through his rallies.
Whatever are the pre-poll and post-poll turnarounds, Jayalalitha has yet again proved that she can descend to any level for the sake of electoral gains!!
Both Atal Bihari Vajpayee's BJP and the Congress governments have faltered with their respective foreign policy decisions, involving neighboring countries. Nepal, today, is closer to China. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar are dearer to China.Even the little Island nation Maldives does not seem to be concerned about India. We've already stumbled with our foreign policy on Sri Lanka. If we do not want errors to recur, we have to finally draw curtains on this unscrupulous polity of Tamil Nadu.
Otherwise, the nation has to budge to the demands of both the J&K government's appeal to release the parliament-attack convict Kashmiri Afzal Guru and to the Akali Dal's plea of releasing the Khalistani terrorist Bhullar. Watch Out!
Useful Links and Reading Resources
Full Text of the Indo-Lanka Accord from Colombo
AndhraWishesh: How Modi's Tip-Off Saved Jayalalitha?
Maritime Silkroad vs The String of Pearls: The Diplomat's Shannon Tiezzi
The Tamil Factor in China's Lankan Naval Basing Ambitions
Centre for Asian Strategic Studies-India: China's Quest for Bangladeshi Naval Base
India to Back UN War-crime Investigation on Sri Lanka
China's Expeditionary Future: Marex on Maritime-Executive
Salman Khurshid's Snub to Lanka
Indo-Lanka Opportunities: EurasiaRview's Gaurav Dixit
Along with a decision to release life-term serving convicts namely Nalini, Robert Paes, Jayakumar, and Ravichandran, the TN cabinet has also decided to release three other convicts namely: Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan. On further proceedings of the cabinet resolution, Tamil Nadu government did loop the center in on their decision. In response, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has written back calling Tamil Nadu's release of the seven prisoners as "legally untenable and against the principles of justice."!!
After the court had agreed that the center could file a fresh petition the Tamil Nadu government's remittance of four convicts Nalini Sriharan, Robert Pyas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran; the Central Government moved the Apex court against the TN Government's resolution. And fortunately, the SC has restrained the TN government from releasing the convicts till March 06, 2014, when the court has said it will deal with the next proceedings. Meanwhile, a bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam agreed to hear the Centre's plea on February 27, 2014. And in her firm resolve to out punch Congress and the DMK in this high-voltage politico-legal bout, Jayalalitha has announced to counter Centre’s plea against Rajiv Gandhi’s killers in SC.
At this stage, it is uncertain which way the judgement would go. However, Jayalalitha's (error of) judgement seems to have evoked a feeling of dejection and disgust against politics and politicians. For the chairs of PM and CM, political gains, and for the cause of appeasement, we've witnessed how our politicians compromise on values and ideologies, display meanness, and posture themselves in mutual fights. But, it perhaps is impossible for any other politician to drop to the depths that Jayalalitha has descended to.
Why don't we find a categorically short answer to this long question: "How shamelessly crooked could be this leader, who has openly come forward to release the killers of a former prime minister, purely for political gains?"
Doesn't Jayalalitha have at least the primal fear or shame that she brought even a VIP as important as Rahul Gandhi to a pitiable state, as he reacted with apparent, pain-filled words: "If a Prime Minister's killers are being released, what kind of justice should the common man expect?"
At this juncture, a number of questions stare the nation in the face. When do we put an end to this insolvent Tamilnadu polity, which sacrifices our very national interest? Are these convicts Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan in all reality, proud sons of Tamil Nadu? For, what grand attainment, did these convicts kill Rajiv Gandhi? And, what grand sins had Rajiv Gandhi committed to get killed at the first place?
By the year 1983, with its clear goals of creating the Eelam (an exclusive Tamil realm), the LTTE had started to cause headaches to the then Sri Lankan Government. Daily assaults had started to become the norm. Completely dependant on its tourism industry for its survival, the island nation started to see severe financial crisis as a result of LTTE's terror. It was at then, that Sri Lanka reached out to the neighbouring India for help. On July 27, 1987, India's then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayawardene signed a historic Indo-Lanka Peace accord. As a part of the accord's pledge of Indian military assistance, India inducted its peace-keeping force (IPKF) to help Sri Lanka establish peace and normalcy. Finding themselves under pressure, the LTTE had initially agreed to surrender arms to the IPKF. However, that was just a temporary tactic used by the LTTE to bid for time. Having secretly weapon-equipped its mercenary forces, the LTTE declared to achieve its Eelam objectives through an armed struggle. This declaration meant India's IPKF would also be trapped in the armed conflict. Under severe guerrilla attacks of the LTTE, India lost 1200 of its troops and the Sri Lankan Army lost 5000 of its forces. Despite this, Rajiv Gandhi didn't recall the IPKF. After Congress under Rajiv Gandhi lost the 1989 general elections, V. P. Singh became the next prime minister, and recalled the IPKF. At this juncture, the LTTE had heaved a sigh of relief. Also, LTTE used this as an opportunity to strengthen its forces, thus intensifying its armed struggle. Back in India, V.P. Singh's and Chandrasekhar's governments collapsed within the span of two years, calling for elections to be conducted again in the year 1991. It was certain that Congress would regain power. The LTTE also learnt that Rajiv Gandhi would again set sail India's IPKF ships to Lanka as soon as he would regain power. They also realized that it would be very difficult to get rid of him if he would become the PM again. So, they set forth to finish him at Sriperumbudur on his election campaign. This task of assassinating Rajiv Gandhi was assigned by the LTTE leader Prabhakaran to the one-eyed-jack Prabhakaran and Murugan. Working as energetic partners along with Murugan were the same Perarivalan, and Santhan. All the three of this team brutes had already received a death sentence in the year 1999. However, in the year 2000, a mercy petition went to the President's desk. However, the honorable president of the day preferred to sit over the petition files, than to arrive at a just judgment. In 2011, after eleven-and-half years, the then president rejected the plea. Again, an appeal was made to the apex court against this presidential plea rejection. On Tuesday (February 19, 2014), in a landmark judgment, the apex court commuted the death sentence on Murugan, Perarivalan, and Santhan, into life term on the grounds of the eleven-plus-year delay in the Presidential disposal of their mercy petitions. It is at this juncture, that the opportunist politician in Jayalalitha came to the fore.
With sights set on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, and using the Apex court's judgement as an excuse, Jayalalitha set forth to immediately release all the seven convicts. On the other hand, Central government also prepping up for the forthcoming elections risks being seen as anti-Tamil if they oppose any move by the Tamil Nadu government. Jayalalitha's prime opponents, the DMK and actor Vijayakanth's DMDK have also been caught in a dilemma. They can neither oppose, nor do they have a choice not to support. By supporting the release, it is a deviation from their anti-AIADMK values. Also, all the political gains will garnered by Jayalalitha's. It is the end of the story if they dare oppose it. With a strict political point of view, this definitely is the best missile to have been fired by Jayalalitha. However, ethically, she has just hit the rock bottom.
So is she the kind of a lady who wouldn't hesitate to do anything for political gains? Besides, is it an ordinary crime to kill our nation's former prime minister? What is with the strange Tamil psyche, which accommodates empathy even for the killers of our prime minister? Having created a Navodaya school for every district, Rajiv Gandhi had grown in popularity for reducing the minimum voter age limit from 21 to 18 years, thus allowing youth to participate and decide the future of the nation. Did these killers become dearer than even the nation's popular former prime minister?
And, why do you think did Rajiv Gandhi set sail IPKF ships from India to the Lankan shores?
If, India wouldn't have agreed to send their forces, our arch enemies, the Pakistanis and the Chinese would have sent off their forces. Both these nations were eager on their toes. So, by sending the IPKF, Rajiv Gandhi had ensured neither Pakistan nor China could set foot anywhere into the Indian Ocean's territorial waters. If you're not a believer in this pro-Rajiv theory, remember what happened in the year 2008-09? When their army had initiated an all-out military operation against the LTTE, Sri Lanka had requested India to fulfill its weaponry and ammunition needs. But, for the UPA government of the day, the support of DMK was more important. Bogged down by this Tamil blackmail, Manmohan Singh did not respond to Sri Lanka's requisition. Then, the Chinese emerged to aid the Sri Lankans. Having weeded the LTTE out, the Sri Lankan government has come out of its civil-war crisis. Also, in reciprocation, they've shown gratitude towards China for the help in weapons' supply. Now, the situation in Sri Lanka is: whenever there is a new government formed, the first invite is sent to the Chinese government. Before the Chinese arrival, these invites would come to the neighborhood's big brother India. With the premise of port renovation and developmental works for Sri Lanka, China has set base in the Indian Ocean. Having received access to the Arabian Sea through a similar developmental project at Pakistan's Gwadar port and making their presence in the the Bay of Bengal with the Bangla-Burma port project, now having arrived even in the Indian Ocean, the Chinese seem to have encircled India even at sea. Now, we can challenge Jayalalitha if Rajeev Gandhi really committed a blunder by sending the IPKF to Sri Lanka. If he hadn't committed any blunder, Madam Jaya Lalitha! For what noble cause do you plan to set these Rajeev-killer ruffians free? To accommodate this political madness of Tamil Nadu, for how long do we sacrifice our national interest?
There was a time when even Jayalalitha was under life-threat from the LTTE. Today for the greed of the Ballot box, is it not trajical that this very Jayalalitha has come to the support of these very separatist forces? This lady seems to be made of an extremely crazy psychological mettle. Whenever the DMK is in power, the Cauvery water sharing issue never assumes the form of a serious dispute. It is a mess whenever this lady is in power. Before Vajpayee's government fell by a single vote in 1998, was her histrionics any less harmful? After a week-long taunt of promises to give the BJP her support letter, Pramod Mahajan was declined entry into her home after disembarking at the Chennai airport, and he had to return empty-handed. Even after this incident, the BJP didn't seem to have learnt their lessons. When she ensured MDMK's Vaiko had remained jailed for a good 17 months utilizing BJP's very own POTA legislation, BJP had remained silent like a sly, pet cat. In 2004, the BJP could have retained power, had they not stuck to their attitude of aligning with Jayalalitha, even at the expense of loyal partners such as the DMK. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, DMK and its allies won all of the Tamil nadu's 40 seats. Her vocabulary doesn't seem to include the loyalty word. Again in 2011, she had an alliance with actor Vijayakanth's DMDK. But, as soon as her AIADMK party gained majority on its own strength, she dumped DMDK. Here is another episode: Don't we all remember how almost overnight, she ousted her once-confidant Shashikala and her foster-son in the year 2012. It was Narendra Modi who had tipped Jayalalitha about how Shashikala was trying to dislodge her through administering slow poison, and was trying to become the next CM. After having confirmed the truth of Sasikala's coup, Jayalalitha had her ousted, and developed a great sense of gratitude toward Narendra Modi. However, when signs of Modi's prime ministership became clear, and when the BJP declared him as their prime ministerial candidate, she did not even bother to display the courtesy of congratulating him. However, Modi is cleverer than her. He has managed to attract Tamil Nadu's old NDA allies, the PMK and the MDMK. There is no possibility of the BJP winning even a single seat in Tamil Nadu. Despite this, Narendra Modi has been instrumental in turning the winds of change toward the BJP through his rallies.
Whatever are the pre-poll and post-poll turnarounds, Jayalalitha has yet again proved that she can descend to any level for the sake of electoral gains!!
Both Atal Bihari Vajpayee's BJP and the Congress governments have faltered with their respective foreign policy decisions, involving neighboring countries. Nepal, today, is closer to China. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar are dearer to China.Even the little Island nation Maldives does not seem to be concerned about India. We've already stumbled with our foreign policy on Sri Lanka. If we do not want errors to recur, we have to finally draw curtains on this unscrupulous polity of Tamil Nadu.
Otherwise, the nation has to budge to the demands of both the J&K government's appeal to release the parliament-attack convict Kashmiri Afzal Guru and to the Akali Dal's plea of releasing the Khalistani terrorist Bhullar. Watch Out!
Useful Links and Reading Resources
Full Text of the Indo-Lanka Accord from Colombo
AndhraWishesh: How Modi's Tip-Off Saved Jayalalitha?
Maritime Silkroad vs The String of Pearls: The Diplomat's Shannon Tiezzi
The Tamil Factor in China's Lankan Naval Basing Ambitions
Centre for Asian Strategic Studies-India: China's Quest for Bangladeshi Naval Base
India to Back UN War-crime Investigation on Sri Lanka
China's Expeditionary Future: Marex on Maritime-Executive
Salman Khurshid's Snub to Lanka
Indo-Lanka Opportunities: EurasiaRview's Gaurav Dixit
