After a good five decades of AIADMK and DMK, AIADMK party leader Jayalalithaa’s death has left Tamil Nadu in a mixture of feelings – mourning her loss and trying to grasp the present. Loss of a human life, whether it is of the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu or a child starving in Africa, is always irreparable. But when such a leader passes away, there is an important question to be asked – a question many people simply ignore – what will be the future of Tamil Nadu’s political scenario?
The present political landscape
After the death of Dr. MGR, former chief minister and founder of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or ADMK which later became Agila India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (All India ADMK or AIADMK), his wife Janaki resumed power of the state for a brief period of 24 days. The central government under late Rajiv Gandhi dissolved the government and AIADMK lost the subsequent elections to DMK. Jayalalithaa served her first term as Chief Minister in 1991, after contesting on the claim to be the political heir of late Dr. MGR. Ever since there has been numerous allegations and accusations of corruption on her and the party, but that did not stop Jayalalithaa from becoming the “AMMA” or mother figure of Tamil Nadu. Several times when Jayalalithaa had to step down from chief minister due to various reasons (including once during the last term when she was arrested on charges of disproportionate assets), her loyal aide, O. Panneerselvam (abbreviated OPS) filled in her seat, like Bharathan, the brother ruling in the name of the exiled Raman in Ramayana.
After the very controversial death of J. Jayalalithaa, OPS was once more placed as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the AIADMK party, but this time it is very different – because this time, Jayalalithaa is not coming back. OPS is placed as CM for the moment, but that does not mean he will be permanent. Sasikala, a shady character, who was expelled from the party earlier this year now seeks to take on the title and throne of party leader.
The questions that arise now (a) Are people going to have the same confidence on AIADMK and the new chief Minister? (b) Will the government run smoothly or is it going to be a downfall of AIADMK before it finishes its tenure as a party? (c) Is it possible to see AIADMK as a strong electoral force under Sasikala or any other party leader? (d) If AIADMK collapses before its tenure, will a third party be elected or be trusted?
Over the period, Politics has become like a business trait where parties turn to be an asset passed on to the inherited leader or family. The actual founder’s primary interest of a public life and serving people may or may not coincide with the next leader’s interests.
The future?
AIADMK and DMK have been the two most powerful parties for a long time. The impression formed by these parties has created a catastrophe for a third party to emerge as strong and aspire people. Years back, Jayalalithaa managed to overcome the problem of being a non-dynastic party. DMK is still in the strong grasp of one family – that of Karunanidhi’s and MK. Stalin is being prepped to be the new party leader even though sibling rivalry was rife just a couple years ago. It’s already set in motion as DMK bylaws are to be tweaked to make M K Stalin working president (TOI).
Maybe it is time for a new party/new leader to come on the stand. This tenure maybe the last of what is to be seen of Dravidian parties that belonged to such powerful figures. AIADMK is lost without J. Jayalalithaa and DMK will not have the same strength as before either. Maybe it is the opportunities like this that we get to re-establish democracy – maybe we can see someone like Vijayakanth take the stand. Maybe he is not perfect, but democracy demands change. After all, the future of Tamil Nadu is in the hands of the people.
This article was co-written by Muthu Kumar with Misha Siyal. All views expressed are the authors’ and does not reflect OutFocus or all its members.
