Narendra Modi (L) and J Jayalalithaa (R)The late chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa (or Amma), ruled with an iron hand. Just when she was poised to become chief minister, the judgment of the Supreme Court scuppered her ambitions. It could be part of the BJP’s political strategy to carve out a space for itself in Tamil Nadu politics. On April 18, 2017, the EC directed registration of cases against the Chief Minister and six ministers and their candidate. Each MLA of the ruling faction is the virtual chief (minister) of his/her constituency; each minister is the virtual chief (minister) of his/her district.

Source: Indian Express July 08, 2017 20:27 UTC