Discover how a seemingly minor incident involving a traffic jam and a superstar actor played a significant role in bringing down a state government in India, leading to a chief minister’s electoral defeat.
The Seeds of Discontent
In 1992, J Jayalalithaa had just completed her first year as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, leading the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Her party had secured a landslide victory in the 1991 elections.
However, despite the strong mandate, her popularity began to wane. Reports suggested a growing disconnect with the public, and common citizens felt inconvenienced by her stringent security protocols.
A Superstar’s Frustration
Among those feeling the pinch was none other than ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth. His biography, “The Name Is Rajinikanth,” details his growing displeasure with what he perceived as Jayalalithaa’s “queen-size” lifestyle and the frequent roadblocks imposed for her convoy, disrupting daily life in Chennai.
One day, Rajinikanth himself found his car stuck in one such snarl. A police officer informed him that traffic would be held for half an hour until the Chief Minister’s entourage passed.
The Public Display
Frustrated by the delay and the officer’s inability to allow other vehicles to move, Rajinikanth reportedly stepped out of his car. In a scene reminiscent of his on-screen persona, he bought a cigarette, leaned against a lamppost, and lit it.
Word quickly spread that the superstar was stranded, and soon, Dr Radhakrishnan Road was swarming with eager fans. The police, sensing the escalating situation, urged him to move, but Rajinikanth, with his characteristic swagger, simply stated he was waiting for the CM’s convoy to pass.
The Political Fallout
While definitive proof of this specific incident remains anecdotal, published in his biography, it contributed to Rajinikanth’s decision to take a strong political stance. In the run-up to the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, he openly campaigned against Jayalalithaa.
His declaration, “Even God can’t save Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa returns to power,” resonated deeply with voters. He threw his support behind the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-Tamil Maanila Congress alliance.
A Staggering Defeat
The impact of Rajinikanth’s words was undeniable. The AIADMK, which had won 225 seats in 1991, was reduced to a mere four seats in 1996. Even Jayalalithaa herself lost her Bargur constituency, a seat she had previously won.
Reflecting on the Past
Years later, at a prayer meeting following Jayalalithaa’s demise in 2016, Rajinikanth publicly acknowledged his role in her defeat. He stated, “Jayalalithaa lost elections in 1996 because of me. I had hurt her.”
He remembered her fondly, calling her a “Kohinoor diamond” and sharing a personal anecdote about her graciousness in attending his daughter’s wedding despite their past political rivalry.
- A traffic jam involving superstar Rajinikanth fueled his frustration with then-CM J Jayalalithaa’s governance.
- Rajinikanth’s public campaign against Jayalalithaa significantly impacted the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- The AIADMK suffered a massive defeat, with Jayalalithaa losing her own constituency.
- Rajinikanth later expressed regret for his role in her electoral loss.
This historical event underscores the powerful influence public figures can wield, even over entrenched political powers.
