A life-sized statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was unveiled in Chennai on Saturday as part of grand celebrations to mark the 70th birth anniversary of the late AIADMK supremo.
The statue was unveiled by the AIADMK at the party headquarters in Chennai’s Royapettah. The statue will be placed near that of party founder and late CM MG Ramachandran.
Post the unveiling, which saw hordes of party cadre in attendance, many have gone to point out that the statue does not look like Jayalalithaa.
Don't call it as Jayalalithaa's statue ever again, does it look like Jayalalithaa in angle???? Such a disgrace to a tall leader like her #JayalalithaaStatue pic.twitter.com/vj4UgG6AGa
— MUGILAN CHANDRAKUMAR (@Mugilan__C) February 24, 2018
Ok,Am sure most of our boys are silent outta some respect for the late CMBUT THAT STATUE ! EVEN her enemies will feel sorry for her looking at that piece of low grade workmanship ! Cudnt these #Adimais spend a little to get a decent sculptor ! #Jayalalithaa #JayalalithaaStatue
— T R B Rajaa (@TRBRajaa) February 24, 2018
There shud be an investigation to find out whose statue is this... #JayalalithaaStatue #JayalalithaaBirthAnniversary #HBDAmma70 pic.twitter.com/4EvPesEDkD
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) February 24, 2018
Every minister hold’s a photo of JJ in their pockets. Why couldn’t they give it to the sculptor.Why cant you make preliminary changes. why create unwanted-disgrace to the former CM. The statue was done in Hyderabad. why? What went wrong? @dhanyarajendran #jayalalithaastatue
— karna vignesh (@KarnaVignesh) February 24, 2018
Who's Statue is this ????
— AB (@The_Abinesh) February 24, 2018
Is this #JayalalithaaStatue pic.twitter.com/FW8q6Rbqp5
#JayalalithaaStatue pic.twitter.com/Ni9oNz1mXZ
— Pradeepkrish (@Kpradeep25) February 24, 2018
The party will also launch its official mouthpiece 'Nammadhu Amma' on the former CM's anniversary. The AIADMK is reportedly mulling launch of its own TV channel as well.
As part of the celebrations, the state government will also launch the scooter subsidy scheme wherein the government will provide 50% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 for the purchase of scooters by working women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the scheme that was one of Jayalalithaa’s poll promises ahead of the 2016 Assembly Elections.
Earlier this month, amid boycott from the Opposition DMK and ally Congress, a portrait of Jayalalithaa was unveiled at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai. Presided over by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal unveiled the 7-foot portrait of the late AIADMK supremo.
DMK Working President Stalin has opposed the portrait, saying it would set a wrong precedent since Jayalalithaa was convicted in the DA case. However, CM Edappadi Palaniswami had defended the move stating that unveiling a portrait of Jayalalithaa would be a great honour for the state assembly since the late leader was committed to the development of people's welfare in addition to being elected as CM six times.
Jayalalithaa passed away in December 2016 after being hospitalised for 73 days in Apollo Hospitals in the city.