Parties should nurture the new political culture

In fact, almost all the political leaders visited the hospital where she was undergoing treatment. Members of the DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s family also visited the hospital. Later, DMK leaders and a few cadre too paid their condolences in person, when Jayalalithaa passed away. This is a tremendous breakthrough in our political culture, given that they stand at the two extremes of the political spectrum and ideology. When Karunanidhi was hospitalised, senior AIADMK leaders likewise called upon him at Kauvery Hospital a couple of days ago. However, the incident involving Vaiko on the same day, was unfortunate. 

Vaiko was prevented from entering the hospital by unruly party cadre, who forced him to go away without meeting Karunanidhi. This is a huge setback for the fledgling personal courtesies — it’s too early to term it as harmony — that has evolved in the last few days. People opposing Vaiko should not forget his political career. After all, he has spent nearly 30 years in Dravidian politics. He has often said that he grew up in the shadow of Karunanidhi, when he was in DMK and if he wants to visit him at the hospital, party politics and petty quarrels should not come in his way.

It is time Tamil Nadu showed that personal equations can be good and decorous, even if two people are politically divided. It should not be a ‘my way or highway’ culture. This message has to percolate down to the rank and file of all political parties, not merely DMK and AIADMK. When party seniors lead by example, the cadre will fall in line sooner or later.

The one thing that we have to learn from foreign countries is how to have a political and personal life. Ideologically they may differ, and run down each other’s policies and pronouncements in public podiums. However, such a difference will not keep them from exchanging Christmas and New Year greetings. When it comes to personal tragedies, the Opposition leaders abroad show their personal side and commiserate with them. If it is a time of celebrations or weddings, they cheerfully show up and exchange pleasantries. 

It is time our leaders borrowed a leaf from foreign dignitaries. DMK did well to admonish the cadre who prevented Vaiko from visiting their party chief. However, it should not be a one-off thing, but become an established practice where mutual respect for rival party leaders seeps into public life. Our politicians have to show that they can carry off a personal and professional life in public, and put an end to the ugliness of political rivalry once and for all.