‘Expired on extension’ – Power versus people crisis of AIADMK

The day several law makers of AIADMK surrendered the party, the government of Tamil Nadu and certainly the governance of the state to the ‘almighty Chinnamma’, most of them scripted own superannuation or extinction from Tamil Nadu politics. They not only earned the wrath of people but also got thoroughly exposed of their sole intention to be in public life.

One may wonder why some choose to play the role of Chinnamma bhakta (devotees) while some the role of ‘priests’ of Chinnamma (always praising) fully knowing well that they are doing nothing but endangering their political career and writing own obituary? The answer looks quite simple. Perhaps they would have realized their senescent period in TN politics long before.

Having a chance to hang onto the Government for the politicians after their expiry or superannuation or retirement from politics is like having an extension period to continue in service with full salary and perks. Who would say no to such extension? It is like the products that find enough space and exposure in market even after its expiry.

On the other hand OPS has decided to become the true servant of people of TN and he has re-affirmed that there is no retirement for those who wants to serve people and therefore one has to look for an opportunity to serve people. People believe the true intent of OPS to serve people is the reason why he has sacrificed his position and power. Large sections of people of Tamil Nadu have understood this sacred mission of OPS and that is why they are behind him.

The other question that worries the state of Tamil Nadu is what great job all those ‘expired/ technically senescent politicians’ in the Government can do to the state? Even to function and do the routine jobs the bhaktas and priests of Chinnamma might need orders from some prison or from a family and how such government can do anything worthwhile to the people of TN.

Many apolitical and politically neutral citizens of Tamil Nadu have some different request to place before people of the state. They want the people of TN must vote OPS in the coming local body election just to send a clear message to all politicians in Tamil Nadu that they cannot take people for granted.

Victory of OPS means victory of people of Tamil Nadu. Further, all those political parties engaged in family and dynastic politics also would get the message clear and bold.

Also a contrarian view exists among some devotees and priests of Chinnamma. Some of these devotees and priests of Chinnamma believe that they are playing only the role of Drona and Karma. Both of them pledged their support to Duryodhana knowing fully well they were supporting adharma purely due to their indebtedness and gratitude that they owe to Duryodhana.

In Mahabharat, Karna and Drona have clearly told to the world that what benefit they have received from Duryodhana to pledge their life to him. The question is will the priests and bhaktas of Chinnamma also tell the people of Tamil Nadu what benefit they had received from Chinnamma to support her?

Follow the paths of Amma not Chinnamma. As long as Amma was alive, Chinnamma had her place where it had deserved and never in party or in Government.

Dr S Ranganathan