The song ‘Raman andalum’ from the celebrated movie ‘Mullum Malarum’ (The thorn and the flower) captures the usual state of mind of the people of Tamil Nadu when it comes to politics. The lyrics basically say that the protagonist doesn’t care who “rules” - hero or villain. However, recent events have made even the rest of India sit up and take notice of what’s happening in the political arena down south. The demise of the sitting Chief Minister and General Secretary of the AIADMK party, J.Jayalalithaa, on Dec.5th was when it all started (The events surrounding her hospitalisation and eventual death are still suspicious to many even after doctors released detailed statements two days ago). The party treasurer O.Paneer Selvam (OPS), who had been entrusted with the role of acting CM by Jayalalithaa herself during the time of her hospitalisation, immediately took oath as Interim CM. After that came the ascension of the hidden puppet-master, VK Sasikala, to the made-up post of Interim General Secretary of the AIADMK party (on Dec.29th). Then, on Jan.8th, protests erupted against the ban on ‘Jalikattu’(traditional bull-taming sport) imposed by the Supreme Court in 2014, which were arguably started by rival parties to exploit the current fragility of the AIADMK. However, it fanned public angst and we saw unprecedented numbers on the streets. OPS brought an ordinance (on Jan.21st) to conduct the event inspite of the ban and appease the protesters, but the protests ended (on the 23rd) on a bitter note with police having to use some force to disperse the crowds who rooted for a complete lift of the ban instead. Then came the oil spill (Jan.28th), which incidentally happened right off Marina (Chennai’s famous beach), where both Jayalalithaa’s funeral and the Jalikattu protests took place. Several Olive riddleys and fish schools were killed, and marine life disrupted when two cargo ships collided (how it happened is beyond me!) off the coast. And while the clean-up operations are still going on, the Interim CM resigned three days ago. If this by itself wasn’t enough, yesterday, all hell broke loose when OPS, the ex-interim-CM, suddenly came out saying his resignation was forced and that his party had sidelined him to support Sasikala instead. What will ensue is a political in-fight between OPS, who seems to have wider people’s support but, apparently, very little party support, and Sasikala, who has heavy influence over party ministers but doesn’t really have any positive public image as such. Not to mention devious schemes the opposition party (DMK, which has an alliance with the national opposition party, Congress) and national ruling party (BJP) willl hatch to try and disintegrate the AIADMK. Phew! It’s like the point in a western where the protagonist and his/her enemy face each other for the first time and vultures are flying low in anticipation. I have a front row seat and am all excited to watch the rest of this unfold! Trump can wait.
