Hillary Clinton

Hillary won the Democratic candidature

Jayalalithaa and Hillary

compare their leaders with gods

CHENNAI: Was Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa a ‘lucky omen’ for US presidential candidate? This was the subject of debate in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Tuesday when AIADMK MLA from Coonoor A Ramu insisted thatonly after she had met Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa five years ago.Ramu said the meeting betweenin 2011 became the 'pillayar suzhi' (a symbol or a lucky omen which people use at the top of a page before writing an important piece of document or essay).It was only after that historical meeting that Hillary won the candidature for US presidency, the first for a woman in that country’s history, said the legislator.“The historical change (for a woman to contest) in the US started in Tamil Nadu and it is a proud moment for all of us. Our Amma is the reason for a woman to contest for the first time in the US,” said Ramu as other party MLAs were tapping their tables.Politics in Tamil Nadu revolves around sycophancy. Party cadres oftenand goddesses. Thus it is not new for cadres and MLAs praising their leaders.“Today, the world is celebrating this meeting for its historical importance. During the meeting, Hillary understood Amma’s personality and was awestruck by her proficiency in English and her encouragement. Finally, accepting the assuring words of respected Amma, an overwhelmed US Secretary of State went back to become the presidential candidate. I would like to record that the reason for this is respected Amma,” Ramu said.Soon after Hillary’s candidature was confirmed, Jayalalithaa sent a letter on June 17. “Kindly accept my heartiest congratulations on clinching the nomination as the Democratic party’s candidate for the election of the president of the US. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for all the women in the world and in particular, women in democratic electoral politics, that you have become the first woman to be a candidate of one of the two major political parties in the US for the presidency. In creating history, you have given voice and hope to the cause of women empowerment across the world,” Jayalalithaa wrote in the letter.