What is it that eventually did the DMK Chief in? Why, blood, of course. The obsessive affinity to a ministerial nephew and a mayoral son. And the shameless and indiscreet pursuance of their personal agendas as his own and his party ‘ s too. Was it not common knowledge that DMK meant Maran, beyond TN, in faraway Delhi and it would be son Stalin, if not now, then most certainly in the near future, in Tamilnadu?
But then this has always been the case, one might argue, even when the DMK stormed to power in 1996 and so why make an issue of it now. Sure, but the point is that with Karunanidhi having decided on premature retirement at 77, he certainly was an old man in a hurry to see his near and dear, comfortably settled, both politically and well, ..monet ..let me not say it. Having carved out the party ‘ s Parliamentary and Legislature interests between his twin consciences, it was Karunanidhi ‘ s unabashed eagerness in promoting them that has finally cost him his head itself.
The ‘former CM ‘ might love to rationalise that it was Jayalalithaa ‘ s mal propaganda that caused his defeat, but if he just bothers to remove his dark glasses and take a look, he will realise that his excuse is like the dust on the lens. The real reasons lie beyond and the kalaingar needs no coaching, rational paragon that he is, to deduce the inevitable logic behind his drubbing by wiping off the blot on his glasses.
He would then realise that, if in 1996 it was with the help of formidable allies that he rode an anti-AIADMK wave, he is now in the depths precisely owing to the lack of them. While from 1999 onwards he lapsed into a load shedding spree, all those who were deserted by him went on to swell the ranks of the AIADMK front.
But why did the clever Karunanidhi decide to dispense with his bosom friends, particularly the ones like TMC leader Moopanar who stood by him even during those troubled Jain days? Because, for him blood has always been thicker than even south Indian decoction! (water is passe because it is simply not there).
When Jayalalithaa withdrew her party ‘ s support to Vajpayee ‘ s government in April 1999, the election weary nation sensed a major crisis, but for the nephew, it was a god sent opportunity. He could see new vistas of ministerial options opening up in front of him and lo, the same evening he was on the BJP delegation that met the President.
The DMK ‘ s leap from Dravidian rationalism to pandara nationalism -courtesy Karunanidhi – was effected in a jiffy and the process was well aided by Maran ‘s handy presence in Delhi and of course, his presence of mind. The DMK chief who could never get himself to play spoil-sport to his dear nephew was quick to endorse his efforts and ambition too which got fructified when he occupied one of those ubiquitous Bhavans in the Capital as a Union Minister.
So far so good. But what of his ‘ secular ‘ allies? How could they countenance the DMK ‘ s companionship with the BJP? And so it was that the Left left the DMK front and the Thanmana Thalaivar too parted ways with his bosom friend, the Thaanai Thalaivar. Both eventually found their way to Jayalalithaa ‘ s alliance where the prevailing dictum clearly was, more the merrier. The exit of these allies and their accretion to the opponent has undoubtedly cost the DMK dear now. While Maran is sitting pretty at Delhi, the uncle is counting spiders at home.
If only such uncles abound in this country, there would be not a single poor nephew around! If anyone can excel Uncle Karunanidhi ‘ s Blood First politics, it could only be Daddy Karunanidhi. For the doting father, it was not enough if the rising son remains confined to mayoral pastimes, building mini-bridges and posing alongside the stinking gutters of Singara Chennai. Afterall Tamilnadu was larger than Chennai but there was a hitch.
There could be no Mayor for Tamilnadu, according to the constitution. But there could be a CM and Stalin might just fit into it. What a coincidence! And lo, there was an election too in the offing giving the ageing CM a fresh rush of blood. Stalin stalked the State, criss-crossed constituencies and smiled down from posters.
But once again, there were thorny allies, particularly, a prodigal ideological son answering to the name Vaiko. The latter was promptly and deftly dropped from the alliance for it is always the enemy within that one should be wary of. The coast was clear for Stalin, and the caring father only had to wait for the results to flow in.
And the son would be on top. But alas, curse these irrational voters who do not understand a self-respecting father ‘ s fond feelings! But god bless, the son is still atleast the father of the city and an MLA. For the father, well, the spiders are still around. There is something here for the cadre and partymen of the very democratic DMK to ponder over.
Does it not appeal to them that their present plight and the ignominy heaped on them despite their hard work, is largely owing to a ‘ blood-thirsty ‘ leadership and not the making of their avowed opponents as the thalaivan wants them to believe? Would not the party been better off today, if only their leader had opted to suppress his familial bonds and been faithful to his much touted but tormented co-borns? Well, it would suffice to say that the DMK is badly in need of a transfusion.