OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee as the channels were busy telecasting the news of Rajnikant entering political arena in Tamilandu.  This time in the coffee shop too, they found vociferous voices, as if the whole world has come down.  Of course, the discussion was about Rajnikant expressing his arrival to politics and also as he had said he would contest all the 234 seats in Tamilnadu. 

Gopu said that his age might be a consideration for this action of plunging into politics as he is nothing to lose from the of theprofession which has given everything to him.  The followers or fans of his can no more be kept with him with new films.  If they have to be kept in the hold from nowonwards, the only way is to utilize their energies on a common goal, which is nothing but entering politics.  For a man, who has kept himself aloof, without expressing any clear views on many subjects that were the concern of Tamilnadu including Jallikattu, Cauvery water issue – he considers that itself may help him to open a new chapter without the impact of such issues and also only with the impact of the movies.  Rajnikant knows full well, that he has kept a particular base of his film following intact, so for. 

Shyam said that the news of the entry into politics is inevitable.  If he does not announce now, then the situation in Tamilnadu which is very fluid now, it will an opportunity lost.  The ruling party’s infighting and split factions and main opposition party’s none to well performance of late is the right opportunity for anyone thinking of entering into politics.  That Kamalhasan is after the CM’s Chair and has told he would announce his plans in a few months, might have also acted as a catalyst for this action of Rajnikant.  The two friends and foes, have been in Oneupmanship and have many a comments made by them directly or indirectly to that effect.  It is obvious that Kamal who had projected himself as an Athiest and have the blessings of DMK is now countered by the religious Rajnikant.

As for the people of Tamilnadu, they have surprised many, whenever such faction fighting has been seen in the Dravidian parties, with supporting MGR when parted company with DMK and supporting J Jayalalitha to oust Janaki as CM.  However they have remained within the Dravidian fold, except when Sri Vasan of Tamil Manila Congress was given 60 odd seats with Rajnikant supporting them.  That cannot be construed as Sri Vasan got that many seats because of Rajnikant but people wanted a change from the Dravidian Parties.  The smaller parties have been riding on the back of DMK and AIADMK to retian their benfits out of the rules of these two parties.  Presently with the DMK not in its formal glory with Stalin and Alagiri not acting in Unison and with the appeal of 2G case in higher courts may not have a chance to   come back until something unusual happens.  As for the AIADMK, there is every chance of splitting further, if the EPS-OPS combine not act in unison and may pave the way for the President’s Rule and ultimate downfall of them.  Herein comes the importance of other people who are in politics of Tamilnadu to take advantage of the situation.  Rajnikant has thrown in his towel before others.  But both Shyam and Gopu were of the opinion that this advantage cannot be fully utilized unless and until the party itself takes shape with adequate ground work for him in a short period.  Apart from the fan following, those who are supporting other parties but fans of Rajnikant to be brought back in their fold within a short period.  Here in also, what the BJP in centre has decided for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is of importance.  Whether there will be tacit support and backing of Rajnikant to get a fair share of the votes during Lok Sabha polls, and also to get in turn the support of MPs won for his party.

Both Gopu and Shyam felt this is the possibility and perhaps this assured? Help of BJP would have been the cause of the decision of Rajnikant , who was wavering until these years to enter politics. As for BJP, they are interested in getting the backing of MPs from Tamilnadu and which they cannot get on their own.  More will be known before February 2018, when present Tamilnadu EPS-OPS combine, whether they are able to overcome the threat of faction led by TTV Dinakaran, who would spend money like water to get things done in his favour.