Most people unfamiliar with EPS a week ago

After more than a week of political turmoil, Tamil Nadu saw E Palanisamy sworn in as the Chief Minister, much to the chagrin of the people, a large faction of whom were unhappy with the turn of events. 

Like many, M Satish, an IT professional, was unaware of Palanisamy, until this week. Commenting on the situation, Satish said, “This is a weak interim arrangement another remote control Chief Minister is put up. When O Panneerselvam was made the caretaker CM, the RSS rally that was banned here over a decade was allowed and schemes like NEET and UDAY, which were opposed by late CM Jayalalithaa, we accepted. It gave the impression that OPS administration was friendly with the Centre. We must see how Palanisamy’s government responds to the Centre’s politics with Tamil Nadu.” 

Nikhil Moturi, a city-based restauranteur, said he was shocked when a politician whom people barely knew became the CM. “How can a person become a CM, if he is not a known figure? Even if he is elected by the party, where is the people’s mandate? Why are the citizens of Tamil Nadu being treated unfairly? We are the proponents of change in most countries, but unable to change our own state. More important, business and daily life is being affected,” he rued. 

Fashion designer Satkrit Krishna said this twist in the tale isn’t a good thing. “It’s a brazen mockery of a system. We are seriously not the world’s largest democracy because this is simply not democracy at all. What I worry is the Palanisamy is only a temporary affair. In a month, someone from the Mannargudi clan could get themselves elected in RK Nagar and become the CM,” he added. 

Dr Santhosh Jacob said he came across Palanisamy, while following the arrests made during demonetisation. “I’d call it a ‘demockery’ rather than democracy. The recent events in Tamil Nadu are an example of how democracy and the constitution can sometimes show the people how helpless they actually are!” stated the 37-year-old medical professional.

For Sumita Pai, a city-based social entrepreneur, the twists and turns in the recent political drama have outdone all movie plots. “Palanisamy is not an elected leader of the people. We do not know much of him. How can citizens have faith in a CM who has never spoken to the public? Never made promises, even if fake? He has been appointed as head of a party by someone who was interim secretary herself and an established convict. How can such a position be considered valid?” she said. 

Gowri Shankar R, Founder, The Serene Chennai, an NGO, said Palanisamy should be allowed to prove himself. “I heard he is an efficient person and has never been sacked in Jayalalithaa’s 2011-16 regime. But he will not be allowed to perform independently and will be a puppet for Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran. OPS made use of opportunity after Jaya’s death to establish his performance and may be Palanisamy too might perform well, if he is allowed to do so,”  he concluded.