Though I have been away from TN for the last 3 years, I have been judiciously following up on the political developments. Now that I am back and state elections are a few months away, I began closely monitoring political alliances, allegiances, and announcements to make a judicious choice when I get to the polling station.
Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhakam (DMDK) recently celebrated their 11th year in existence as an alternative political party in Tamilnadu at a recently held function in Coimbatore (http://youtu.be/IKp_LujGa7c). With six months to assembly elections, the ruling part is busy announcing schemes after schemes post 4.5 year slumber, while none of the political parties have any plans to address plethora of plaguing issues in a sustainable way.
Forgotten identity and values
A decade ago, when Vijayakanth jumped into politics, he resuscitated the values of MGR, emancipation furore of Periyar, but he didn't progress much apart from switching alliances with rival parties and earning the nick name 'Karuppu MGR', which couldn't translate into votes.
Celebrating his party's 11 years in politics, Vijayakanth begins the meeting with look alike of Periyar (seed sower of Dravidian movement in TN), Anna (face of DMK), Kamaraj (once the face of Congress in TN), and MGR (once the only face of AIADMK) coming together on the stage and supporting DMDK.
It is a known secret that these four men have been banished from their respective party marketing material in the last two decades. Today, AIADMK is all about Amma, while DMK is all about Kalaignar and Stalin, while Congress is about Sonia, who have all successfully turned themselves as ambassadors of corruption burying their party ideology and founders without a whimper.
In intelligently way connect people with the forgotten values of the three parties, the DMDK brought them alive onstage. But, will they be able to attract voters from these parties is yet to be seen.
No Substance
Like spiritual leaders, political parties seem to capitalize on human insecurities and pains with fake promises to make milk and honey flow and turn TN into heaven. No political party has real 'paav' to fight the upcoming elections though issues are plenty from poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, power and water crisis, prohibition, improve secondary education, to law and order situation.
A good example is the above YouTube link where Premalatha brings forward issues without any sustainable solutions, while Vijayakanth remains incoherent, uninspiring and crass. Stalin from DMK and Ramadoss from PMK are no better.
Return of fanaticism, fake promises and freebies
Political parties in the state have national ambitions and election season means horse trading. Will it be DMDK and BJP or will it be AIADMK and BJP? Will old friends Congress and DMK go together?
Sadly, political parties at the national level are becoming more and more narrow in their approach, fanning fundamentalism and fueling casteism. The recent meat ban in Maharastra, subsequently followed by Rajasthan and Karnataka and allotment of auto permits in Maharashtra to only Marathi speaking people are just a few examples of growing fanaticism and divisive political agenda.
Dravidian parties and leaders who once stood for emancipation and development are dead and their self proclaimed successors are getting ready to roll out fake promises, freebies, and also cash for vote. But how and who remains a fleeting question in the minds of voters. As an educated voter, I don't know what each of the contesting parties stand for and how they plan to address issues in a sustainable way apart from picking holes on each other's administration, character and leadership style.
Until the Election Commission of India announces the poll date, the ruling State Government with a short sighted approach can continue to announce welfare measures such as LIG housing, medical schemes for women, and other Amma branded goods with no real development agenda. Sit back and enjoy the drama, but think before you cast your vote.
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