Clinton had met Jayalalithaa in 2011.
AB Wire
Who inspired Hillary Clinton to run for the presidential candidature of the Democratic Party? According to a Tamil Nadu lawmaker, Hillary’s meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2011 led to her victory in the run for the presidential candidature.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLA from Coonoor A Ramu said in the state assembly on Tuesday that the personality of his party chief Jayalalithaa inspired Clinton when she decided to run for the nomination.
“In the history of America, if she (Hillary Clinton) is today a presidential nominee inscribed in golden letters, it is due to honorable Amma (Jayalalithaa),” Ramu said.
He added that Hillary Clinton was mesmerized by Jayalalithaa’s fluency in English during their meeting in 2011.
“Today, the world is celebrating this meeting for its historical importance. During the meeting, Hillary understood Amma’s personality and was awestruck by her proficiency in English and her encouragement. Finally, accepting the assuring words of respected Amma, an overwhelmed US Secretary of State went back to become the presidential candidate. I would like to record that the reason for this is respected Amma,” Ramu said.
In July 2011, Clinton had met Jayalalithaa at the state secretariat and had a one-hour-long discussion when she was the US Secretary of State. Clinton even had invited the chief minister to visit the US.
Recently, Jayalalithaa had congratulated Clinton after she was declared the presidential candidate by the Democratic Party last month.
“Kindly accept my heartiest congratulations on clinching the nomination as the Democratic party’s candidate for the election of the president of the US. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for all the women in the world and in particular, women in democratic electoral politics, that you have become the first woman to be a candidate of one of the two major political parties in the US for the presidency. In creating history, you have given voice and hope to the cause of women empowerment across the world,” Jayalalithaa wrote in the letter congratulating Clinton.