Insults goad NTR, Jaya to bounce back to power

AIADMK leader `Puratchi Thalaivi' Jayalalithaa and former Chief Minister `Natasarvabhauma' NT Rama Rao had suffered the same insults in their respective State Assembly, but bounced back to power, giving it back to their tormentors. At the time of insults, both were leaders of the opposition. NTR was humiliated in the State Assembly when the ruling party leaders heaped corruption charges against him. Serious charges were made against him. Humiliated, NTR walked fast up to the Speaker's podium. Every MLA thought he was going to stage dharna. To their utter shock, he removed the upper cloth on his shoulder and put it on the Speaker's table. He told the Speaker that he had lost the respect of the House. But he had the moral courage to tell the House that he would be back as the House leader. He did in the next election. Jayalalithaa suffered much more humiliation. On March 25, 1989, she was the leader of the opposition. She levelled serious charges of corruption against Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Immediately, the ruling DMK members pounced on her while making personal attacks on her. She was felled in the House and was dragged by her sari. A tearful Jaya left the House. She bounced back in the following assembly elections and returned to the House as the Chief Minister.