After several rumors on Michael Flynn’s call with Russian ambassador about Russian sanctions, the rumors have been vindicated with resignation of Flynn.

The circumstances leading to his resignation points to a battle of GOP vs Trump’s inner circle. Flynn briefed Mike Pence on the Russian call with misleading information and still became the NSA chief. GOP circles believe, Trump was well aware of the call and only Pence and his team was left out of the details.

Michael Flynn being a high profile intelligence expert must have been well aware of the consequences. But his blatant disregard for national security and discussions in details with a Russian diplomat on details of the sanctions leads to several questions.

NSA Michael Flynn resigns with Russian Ties.

Why Trump’s team needs to appease Russia?

GOP insiders point that Flynn was part of the inner circle along with Bannon, Kelly Ann and this call might cause more discomfort for Trump and GOP eventually.  It also makes one wonder how much of the Russian Dossier on Trump is true?. Trump has constantly refused even to say US is better than Russia. He and his close aides have maintained high praise for Putin.

Targeting Priebus to divert pressure on Flynn

Recent interviews by Ruddy one of Trump’s close business partner pointing finger on Priebus was a directed attack from Trump’s circle. Ruddy made these statements immediately after a meeting with Trump over the weekend. Several media and republican party members have pointed this was a attack on GOP and Pence for pressuring Team Trump on Flynn.

Battle to continue

Even with media and public opinion against Sean Spicer, KellyAnn and Steve Bannon, it is expected that Trump will keep his close circle. But the battle is expected to intensify in coming days. Mike Pence with support of GOP will exert pressure to clean the house and one or many of Trump’s close team could be targets. On the other hand Priebus is on weak footing as he is seen as unreliable by the Trio of Bannon, Spicer and KellyAnn Conway. With the infighting only to increase in next few weeks, Trump admin faces uncertain times.

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Shining Star

Indian mainstream media (English/Hindi) sees Selvi J. Jayalalitha as  an educated and elegant Southern Indian politician. She is seen as a shining star among the non Hindi speaking political crowd of southern India. She is also generally viewed positively by Social Media elite.

One of the very few interviews she gave to Media was a English interview to Simi Garewal. This was one of the best showcases of her elegance to the rest of the world.

Jayalalitha was suspicious about most of her partymen and trusted a very few.

Beneath the Cloak

Jaya was known popularly asAmma and many outside the state of Tamil Nadu believed she was a motherly figure. The reality can be little different based on her past adventures. Inside the green cloak of kindness was an angry and insecure woman. Jayalalitha’s passion and anger was notorious in her first five year term as Chief Minister (1991-1996). This was the same time I developed a penchant for reading Tamil weekly magazines. The articles on these political magazines were far more intriguing to me than any movie.

The stories of Jaya’s tolerance for any criticism were quite well known for most of the local population. The violence faced by Nakeeran’s office and Acid attack on Chandralekha are still fresh in memory.  During the infamous years Jaya’s brigade went against KM Vijayan a lawyer who dared to file a case against Jaya’s Govt and got a stay against 69% reservation in Tamil Nadu.  There were judges and Bureaucrats who were attacked for questioning the Chief Minister’s wishes.

This article from India Today’s 1994 edition sums up the history very well, sometimes Im surprised how so much of Jaya’s history can ignored.

Rule by Sister Sasi

Not much is known about the kind of the personal relationship between Sasikala and Jayalalitha, but everyone is sure about the outcome. Many believe most of the corruption attributed to AIADMK and Jaya are direct results of Sasikala and her Mannarkudi family. While Jayalalitha did not have immediate and extended family, this void was filled by Sasikala’s family and  helped her amass the wealth. It culminated in 1996 marriage of Jayalalitha’s adopted son (he was a relative of Sasikala). The adoption was planned and played by Sasi’s family to establish a legal relationship with heirless Jaya.

The fall and rise

The Step-Son marriage was instrumental in showcasing Jaya’s corruption and ultimate loss of power to DMK. But with short term memory and aided by Corruption in DMK Government and Populist schemes, Jaya was back in power after next 5 years. While the power of Mannarkudi gang of Sasikala started asserting more power within the party, it also lead to suspicion by Jayalalitha who banned several members of Sasikala’s family and fired several AIADMK members who were seen close to Natarajan  (Sasi’s husband) and Venkatesh (Relative of Sasi). Despite all this Sasikala’s family dominated AIADMK and all of the party’s assets.

We will continue to look into Jayalalitha’s life and per political legacy in next few chapters. Please add your comments and opinions. If I have some incorrect information, I will be glad to correct it.

The post AIADMK’s J Jayalalitha – True Amma or Angry Lonely Woman ? – Part 1 appeared first on Dexter's Political Observer.