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| image source: sundayguardianlive.com |
Tamil Nadu politics probably has no comparison in the whole of country if you were to take the
ground realities into consideration. Ever since the Dravidian parties came into existence and till
date the mindset of the leaders of these regional outfits doesn’t seem to have changed for
better. They still float obnoxious ideas like separate electorate, independent nation status and
intoxicating stuff like that into the minds of innocent people.
Perhaps there’s a long history for such a state of affairs in the Southern most part of the
country. South Indian Welfare Association was the first regional party of the state taking birth in
1916.The name was changed to Justice Party after its English language daily newspaper’s
name which was more known for its vocal support to the Britishers.
Thanks to the imposition of Hindi on the regional states during the early sixties, the situation
paved way for the Dravidian movement to stretch its roots deeply on the state soil. But for the
Congress domination for a couple of decades after Independence it has all along been a regime
of either of the two Dravidian parties combine.
Just like it’s either the Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) or Communist Party of India
(Marxist) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) governments in office alternately in Kerala it will be
the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham(DMK) or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazagham(AIADMK) occupying the seats of power continuously or alternatively.
For the first ever time the ensuing Lok Sabha elections are being held without the usual Gods or
Godesses, jovially exclaims MR Pattabhiraman, former Senior Branch Manager of Punjab
National Bank, now settled in Dindigul.
In other words Muthuvel Karunanidhi, patriarch of the DMK nor Jayaram Jayalalithaa, revered
as Amma(Mother) by the AIADMK cadre are no more a binding force for the present polls. In
fact M Karunanidhi was ailing for more than two years before the end came and J Jayalalithaa
had a ‘natural’ death although the whole nation was abuzz with a variety of mysterious reasons
for the same.
The ruling AIADMK front has entered into tie up with the BJP, PMK, DMDK, Puthiya
Tamizhagam and AINRC parties. According to a rough estimate, MR Pattabhiraman claims: All
the dominant personalities of three AIADMK factions like Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Deputy
Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, TTK Dinakaran belong to the Mukkulathor community which
has a population of 80 lakhs. Likewise Pattali Makkal Katchi(PMK) founded by S Ramadoss
belongs to the Vanniyar community having around 1.20 crore people to its fold.
The number of people belonging to the SC/STs’ may be up to 1.80 crores while the remaining
1.20 crores consist of 45 lakh Nadaar and 75 lakh Mudaliyar community people. So much
depends upon the voting pattern of these five out of the eight crore people, he says.
The DMK top brass belongs to the Pillai community while the SC/ST votes are divided into both
the rival alliances. On the whole and as of now he foresees a better situation for the DMK-INC
combine and asserts: All those who had voted for the AIADMK about two years back may not
reiterate their support this time as the ruling party has entered into a poll pact with the BJP.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam(DMDK) of film actor turned politician Vijayakanth,
although has been parted with four seats by the ruling AIADMK combine is said to have less
impact on the voters this time. He belongs to the Telugu Naidu community.
SR Ramanujan, septuagenarian former Director of Newstoday Private Limited owning Eenadu
Television explains: Yes it’s true that it’s a rosy picture for the DMK combine all these days. But
thanks to the Balakot surgical strike, the tide seems to be closely moving towards the AIADMK-
BJP combine now.
These days there are any number of social activists who are active on the social networking
sites trying to depict the situation on ground. As of now the BJP looks to be in a better position
at Coimbatore and Madurai in North while the AIADMK has winning chances in 3-4
constituencies belonging to the Southern region. Perhaps in all the AIADMK-BJP combine may
hope to bag in 5-10 seats, he concludes.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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