Written By: Ritu Kashyap
Rajniti Axom (www.rajnitiaxom.com is Assam’s 1st e-magazine explicitly for politics)
Muthuvel Karunanidhi, popularly known as Kalaignar, meaning artist in Tamil passed away on 7th August 2018. Karunanidhi was hugely popular in Tamilnadu and never lost an election. Born in a small village called Thirukkuvalai situated some 300 kilometers south of Chennai., he was chief minister of the state for 5 times and was elected to the assembly for 13 times. Karunandhi was from a poor family and also from a lower caste called Isai Vellalar caste. He joined the fight against the caste system with the famous social activist Periyar. Karunandhi used to write scripts for films and later made editor of the party magazine founded by Periyar. As a script writer Karunandhi was very successful who wrote many hit films. When Periyar’s party split into two Karunandhi joined hands with CN Annadurai to launch the party DMK ( Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and they formed the first non Congress government in Tamilnadu in 1967. Karunanidhi became the minister of public works under the chief ministership of Annadurai. When Annadurai passed away in 1969, Karunanidhi became the chief minister. There was a fight between Karunanidhi and his close friend, film star MGR due to which MGR went out of DMK and formed the AIADMK party. This turned out costly to Karunandhi whose party lost out to AIDMK in the next election. Since then these two parties DMK and AIDMK have been ruling Tamilnadu. There has been simply no space for national parties like congress and BJP. Karunanidhi was in power for almost 20 years and Jayalalithaa successor of MGR was in office for 14 years.
What does it mean for Tamilnadu politics after the death of two popular leaders
With the exit of Karunanidhi and Jayalilithaa two tall leaders, the Tamul Nadu politics has moved to an uncertain direction. MK Stalin , son of Karunandhi is all set to take reigns of the DMK. Though his elder brother Alaghiri created some problems, we believe Stalin will be able to overcome it. Stalin rose from the grass root level and Karunandhi also had full confidence on him. On the other hand AIDMK is in complete disarray after the death of it’s leader Jayalalithaa. There were many internal fights and there is no strong leader at present. The chief minister Palaniswamy is somehow running the show but people are fed up with the government. Without a strong leader and proper direction the state will not be able to prosper. Many alleged that central government is mediating with all the factions within AIADMK and dictating from behind the scene. Sensing the opportunity, Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan entered the scene already. It seems Rajnikanth’s popularity has given him an edge. There are allegations that Rajnikanth has a secret understanding with BJP who is unable to extend it’s footprint in this southern state.
What will happen in 2019 and 2021
Rajnikanth has already declared that he will not contest in 2019 polls and will save all his energy for 2021 assembly elections. With the current situations in AIADMK, it is advantage DMK for 2019. Modi has also understood this equation and is trying to improve it’s relationship with DMK. His visit to Karunanidhi before his death is an indication for this. DMK might win 90% of the total seats in Tamilnadu in 2019 poll. However it will be interesting to see if Rajnikanth can put forward any challenge for Stalin in 2021. It is also not clear if AIADMK and Kamal Hassan has anything new to offer. We still have 3 years for the assembly election. All the parties have enough time to set their agenda and connect to people. We can surely say that the battle is wide open in Tamil Nadu for 2021. We might see a new chief minister in Tamilnadu in 2021. Will it be Stalin or Rajnitkath? Time will tell us.
