(Our Political Desk)

 

Much awaited announcement has come.  Superstar Rajnikant, who had promised millions of his fans that he would let know his decision on New Year eve, has been fulfilled.

It was your website, which said Rajnikant set to announce formation of political parties, while many political observers expressed serious doubts, said the superstar would not miss out this golden opportunity. We did mention about the political vacuum created with the absence of both Dravidian parties big wigs like Jayalalitha of AIADMK, who is no more and DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s advancing age as well deteriorating health.

 Political analysts perhaps would not like to stick their neck out as Kamal Hassan chose to pull out after making some noises over launch his own political parties.

Rajnikant, who was chalking out his strategy and wait for an opportune time to announce his decision, Kamal Hassan shooting out his mouth against the rightists groups, especially alleging people are becoming insecure since Narendra Modi took over the reins at the Centre and his decision to embrace the Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan, exposed his ‘real’ intentions.

While announcing his decision, Rajnikant had also made his intentions clear; ‘not to grab power, but to serve the people better.’  He declared that his new party would be contesting all the 234 seats in the next assembly elections.

Will he join hands with Kamal Hassan?

Answer is a flat ‘no’.  As someone said it; ‘how can it be possible as both are keen to become Chief Ministers?  Moreover, Kamal Hassan says he cannot like ‘saffron’ color, while Rajnikant, wishes to keep his options clear.

How long ruling AIADMK factions – EPS-OPS - keep their flock together to retain power? What will be the role of TTV Dhinakaran, who won the RK Nagar bypoll, with a massive margin, ensuring DMK lose its deposit?

Many feel further split in the ruling AIADMK is not ruled out. But, analysts keep their fingers crossed over the split to be based on the ruling party MLAs, who look for ‘greener pastures’ under Rajnikant, rather than rally around EPS and OPS.  In other words, while major chunk, who believe Jayalalithaa’s true political heir is Sashikala-Dhinakaran, others who feel it has lost its sheen, may jump onto the bandwagon of Rajnikant.

Will BJP senior leader Subramaniam Swamy’s prophesy come true?

More unlikely!  Swamy accuses Rajnikant as a political fraud and also highly corrupt.  Rajni’s past hobnobbing with Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa, also will not bother Tamil voters much. 

Those who know Tamil Nadu voters, they are emotive and ‘idol worshippers’.  They now find Rajni as their new ‘idol’ and are also ‘emotive’ connected. 

Will it be an end of the road for Dravidian movement?

Yes and No.  As one of the faction will emerge as the strongest and single Dravidian parties, if Rajnikant’s new political party manage to grab the power.  DMK’s patriarch Karunanidhi might have declared his son M K Stalin as his political heir.  But, he proved beyond doubt that he is not being accepted as a state leader and his influence only confines to Municipal Corporation limits.

What are the BJP’s stakes in changing political equations in most volatile Tamil Nadu politics?

Saffron party has no base in Tamil Nadu and it has no great ambitions.  Moreover, they are well aware they are the most ‘hated’ party by an average Tamil voter for their stands on Hindi language to be made a national language.  The BJP leadership has to reconsider its overall strategies by withdrawing the urge to ‘thrust upon’ Hindi on non-Hindi states to find some foothold in anti-Hindi state like Tamil Nadu.

As your website mentioned in its last report, the BJP and Rajnikant may have discreet understanding to grab power in southern state.  To ensure that the BJP is not luring Rajni or having any further coalition relations and may allow ‘strong voices’ like Subramaniam Swamy from within the party come out with strong statements against the ‘superstar’.  That’s ‘real politics’!