With three distinct trends, where is TN politics headed?

Three trends are discernible in Tamil Nadu politics in recent times. The first trend is one where the AIADMK’s two factions (EPS and OPS) have come together to form a united AIADMK free from factions. Many of the party cadres divided under the two leaders are largely united barring a few with the TTV Dinakaran. The coming of the two factions has raised the question whether the government commands the majority in the Assembly.

The Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly has disqualified 18 members of the TTV Dinakaran faction. The judiciary is yet to give its final decision on this. In a parliamentary democracy, it is not only the leader of the majority party commanding the majority in the Assembly in terms of number (117) but it is also about commanding the confidence of the people. This criterion is a subjective criterion with several intangible elements such as the popularity of the CM, policies and programmes of the government, its outreach, the speed with which they respond to the state and to the national issues so on and so forth. Commanding the confidence of the people has to be ensured more than ensuring the numbers which the government may demonstrate with the disqualification of 18 MLA’s.

The second trend is that of the divided opposition. TN after long years has an opposition party (DMK) with good number of seats in the Assembly. Except the DMK all other parties which were coalition partners either to DMK or to AIADMK in the past are almost silent. The DMDK was opposition in the last Assembly 2011-16 and now they are nowhere in sight during this political crisis. Amidst the debate on being together or not the previous PWF (People’s welfare Front) is also largely divided and individualistic on the political crisis of TN. The PMK which contested the election on its own, is also not able to raise effectively its voice on the present political condition of TN. It is a missed opportunity for the TN opposition parties other than the DMK. In a political chaos like this, unprecedented in the political history of TN, at least the smaller parties should have come together to extend their support or to form a collective opposition. Lack of united opposition has made the AIADMK rule a smooth sail both inside and outside the Assembly The third trend is that of actors Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth entering politics together or separately is a mystery. The news of

Rajini entering politics is not new and has been there for a long time.

Political leaders from national and the state meeting him or Rajinikanth visits them is a regular feature. The big question that emerges is when and with whom he is going to launch or align himself in politics firmly and clearly.

In the case of Kamal Haasan, his entry into politics is rather swift and his meetings with actors and politicians in the recent times keep everyone guessing. History is not to be forgotten. TN has the history of former chief ministers coming from both political and film backgrounds. CN Annadurai and Kalaignar Karunanidhi made a great impact as screenplay writers particularly stories reflecting the reality of life. MGR was an active member of the DMK when he was acting in films. When he launched his ADMK he had sufficient

experience of being in a party and in establishing grip with the party politics. Sivaji Ganesan was an active member of the DMK and a friend of Karunanidh but due to differences in DMK he joined the Congress party and even became a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. Jayalalithaa was introduced to the party by MGR and held various positions in the party like the propaganda secretary and she was elected to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. She was fully conversant with the state and national politics. When MGR died, there was opposition to her assuming leadership, factions were formed but ultimately her grooming in politics by MGR helped her to take over the reins from him. Political apprenticeship in a political party is missing in the case of both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

Unless one is conversant with politics, political parties, party politics it is difficult to understand the nitty-gritty’s of politics. The fans of an actor need not necessarily be a supporter of a political party if it is going to be launched by him.

Politics is a different game which requires a different set of skills.