February 22, 2025

Trust politicians to try and make a name for themselves and consolidate vote banks even in times of natural calamities. The Chennai floods drew out good samaritans in droves and the city should rightly pride itself in having a huge heart. But the antics of its politicians have left a bad taste in the mouth.

First off the block was Amma herself. Will someone please ask the lady where was the need to adorn all public relief material with the Amma stickers? Did Jayalalitha sell her reported collection 12000 sarees or the enormous land bank she has to finance the material?

What is more, the AIADMK cadre is not leaving even non-government relief alone. There are reports that they stopped vehicles carrying relief material, unloaded them and have put the Amma stickers on each and every packet before reloading the truck. If the same cadre could show the same efficiency in helping distressed people, there would be no need to advertize the lady in such dubious ways.

There are also reports that local politicians have been obstructing relief work by NGO’s and private donors. They have been asking for bribes before allowing personnel in distressed areas.

Instead of pasting stickers on relief material, Jayalalitha should ask party cadre to engage in helping move men and material from all over the country to affected areas. The people would bless them for it.