Two decades ago, during her first stint as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa was tough on the LTTE, a separatist militant group based in northern Sri Lanka. She had banned the use of dark films in vehicles and helmets covering riders' faces in an effort to help the police nab LTTE men. In her 40s then, her stern actions pleased her alliance partner Congress, but perhaps not the voter. In 1996, her party was crushed in the assembly elections.

She even appeared to move toward the BJP when she attempted to enact an anti-conversion legislation. The result: she lost power in 2006. In many ways, Jayalalithaa's current tenure is less noisy, and more focused on welfare programmes. For example, her Amma Canteen — a government programme run by women groups providing idlis at attractive prices — is quite successful.

With DMK embroiled in internal fights, Jaya is shrewdly using populist programmes with astute political acumen to strengthen her roots. Her 'mercy' for Rajiv killers isn't without reason: in the event of a hung Lok Sabha, her party could well alter the course of national politics.


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