Opposition makes Jayalalithaa fight the floods again

CHENNAI: The deluge that ravaged Chennai last December seems to be weighing heavy on the minds of AIADMK functionaries.

Narendra Modi, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi brought up floods at their recent public meetings here. While the Congress president attacked the AIADMK for the government's failure “to reach out to people“, Modi said his government had responded fast, rushing a ship and helicopters on rescue operations.

DMK treasurer M K Stalin has also repeatedly attacked Jayalalithaa on her role in the floods, saying: “She claims she did much more than what she promised. One such thing she did not promise but still did is opening the flood gates of Chembarambakkam reservoir without warning people....“

The Jayalalithaa government's image was riding high after a sweep in the LS polls and her high court acquittal in the disproportionate assets case. Despite being accused of slipping into governance paralysis after her conviction, the government did not have to battle any strong anti-incumbency then. It was the Chennai floods that put the party in a tight spot, says analyst M Kasinathan.

After the initial fumble, the state government did some damage control, disbursing cash assistance.Only the election results will show if the money was enough to assuage the feelings of the affected.