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Ballot Boxing: Amma Vs The Stalinist |
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Former Chief Minister, Jayalalitha, convicrted in a corruption case has been disqualified in two constituencies of Krishnagiri and Andipatti. She can't contest the elections but has proclaimed she'll still be the CM. The focus of this election has been on forming alliances with the larger parties, the AIADMK and the DMK casting their net wide to land every sprat that can contribute to the catch. Jayalalitha was first off the block in forging a seemingly formidable looking alliance with the Congress, the Tamil Maanila Congress led by the wily GK Moopanar, the two communist parties, the PMK, and three other minor outfits. But she checked her own momentum when all the major allies felt peeved at her highhandedness in allocation of constituencies. She poached on those seats seen as safe or traditional to them. Anyway all of them swallowed hard and fell in line. But local feelings and their effects may be felt on the polling day.  On the other side, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi struck an alliance with BJP but he could not keep another key ally, Vaiko's MDMK in the fold. Karunanidhi embraced two Dalit outfits and nearly a dozen casteist parties that have sprung up recently. He has also invited a feeble Muslim outfit with three seats.His labours had an eventful reaction in that his nephew and party stalwart and key Central Cabinet Minister Murasoli Maran sulked openly and disassociated himself from 'active politics', though he continued in the union Cabinet thereby indicating the level of effort that body delivers. Though this could also be attributed to competitive nepotism. Karunanidhi, 76, has anointed son MK Stalin as his heir apparent. He has also announced this is his last electoral battle. Added to this Vaiko has been raising cain after he was unceremoniously shown the door. His party has fielded about 200 candidates to oppose DMK. Though Vaiko's MDMK may not have any spectacular victories it will spoil the chances for the DMK in many close contests. MDMK had announced it would not oppose BJP in its 21 constituencies and this will be a one-way street. The BJP considered it a cul de sac. In fact, Karunanidhi is reported to have told BJP leadership to choose between him and Vaiko. One sliver of silver lining for the CM comes in the form of the open rebellion by P.Chidambaram, who's quit the TMC. But he probably has the vote-catching charisma of Manu Shankar Aiyer. An ailing Moopanar may not be of much help to Jayalalitha in the dust and din of the poll campaign. In fact, she has been carrying on all alone for the last few weeks. Sonia Gandhi may put in a token appearance. Prime minister Vajpayee is billed to visit Chennai on May 7 for a public meeting at the Marina. (It is still a moot question if Vaiko a member of the NDA will be invited for this meeting, since that arrangement remains beached.) A few things will be watched keenly: After her resounding poll debacle in 1996 can Jayalalitha rehabilitate herself and the party so that she can fight her court battles with renewed vigour? Will DMK say yes to dynastic succession in case it is returned to power? Can the BJP extend its influence in Tamil Nadu in about 20 more constituencies? Will coalition governance become a necessary evil in Tamil Nadu next month? Does Tamil Nadu actually deserve this choice? Will Karunanidhi return to writing scripts? Will Jayalalitha buy more shoes? As of now observers give Jayalalitha a slight edge to her Secular Front. To their chagrin they also know she may and can spoil her chances by her attitude towards the allies, for she's a lady who throws her substantial weight around. RECENTLY ON JAAL: Borderline Patriotism Bill Clinton's Hidden Agenda The Tapes: Replay The Naked Truth About Sinha's Dream Budget Give Us This Day Our Daily Disaster A Dip Into The Kumbh Hype Hype Hurray The A 2 Z Of Y2K What's Behind Bush? The Florida Ceasefire The Damn Dam Controversy A Weak-Kneed Operation Faster, Higher, Stranger You Have The Right To Be A Volunteer The ICE ICE Baby A Tale Of The Jungle King The Secret Autonomy Report Report When Batsman Became Betsman India's Human Genome Projectile Stone Age Flaws In ICE Age Laws A Dry Spell For Policy Planning Lara's Theme Dotcom Bubble Gum: Burst Or Bust Inside A VIP Cell A To Do About Dos A Dress Code For Klintonji T Kannan is a Chennai-based online writer SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:
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