One almost forgot! We had an election in TN sometime last month, did we not? That cacophonic event seems like a long time back, having faded from our minds otherwise jaded by relentless heat, power cuts, IPLs, not to speak of dead gurus and deadly ‘Geronimos’. The post-poll, pre-result thirty days were quite eventful indeed contrary to my predictions of utter boredom. But well, that very recent past which had receded from our mental monitors has come home to roost this ominous (or auspicious?) Friday the Thirteenth. And has brought with it a flood of change, though in some States it is deja vu too.
Kerala, Assam and Pondy results pale before WB and TN. In Bengal, the revolution turned out to be on the other foot with the Left getting trounced by the Mamata Express. With even forty-plus voters in that State knowing nothing other than Left rule, the long overdue change of guard at Writers is indeed revolutionary. But J’s victory is no less spectacular than Mamatas. While it is easy to attribute AIADMK’s success to arithmetic, the other formation was equally formidable in that respect. Clearly, the anti-DMK mood was overwhelming and it can be summed up in one word: Spectrum. And it was not just about the number of zeroes that followed 176. Spectrum became a metaphor for the DMK’s undoings and an umbrella that covered all the sundry sins of that party. Corruption, family tentacles, blackmail politics, Delhi power bargains, personality cult, blatant display of money power et al found articulation in that one word. And J’s resilience ensured that all the consolidated anger came her way as a bonanza of votes. The immensity of the victory and the margins prove that she would have romped home even without ‘vice’ captains!
Yes, this was no doubt a vote for change. And it had better happen. But what is that change when only status quo has arrived? Obviously, re-installing fallen angels does not constitute change. Those who have come back to power are neither new to the polity nor are novices at governance. They have had their stints and stunts and been rewarded and punished alternately. Their proclivities are no secrets either. Still, if they are back in power it only shows the absence of choice and the resultant decision of the voters to juggle the usual suspects lest one of them gets too entrenched. In TN, the politically correct word would be ‘exchange’ or rather ‘Ex-change’, meaning only an Ex-ruler can come as a change!
The expectation clearly is of a change in a politician’s attitude towards the voter, ie, never to take him/her for granted and nil repetition of the past bloomers. After all, five years is not a long time away for the next change! Now, is there a chance the unchanging faces of the TN political landscape can still contribute to something different from the past? Would it be too much to seek a change of the familiar scripts, scenes and screenplay this time? So here is a wish list, by no means exhaustive, but very wishful nevertheless. The don’ts first, because we need an immediate respite to think in peace about the possible positives!
The new ruler must shut down the flattery industry forthwith. A beginning can be made by bringing about a ban on felicitation functions, the scourge of the past regime. Today, even my pet dog knows by heart the ‘great achievements and supreme magnanimity’ of K that it wags its tail at his ubiquitous photo/footage in thankful reverence for the crusty bun that I had actually fed it with! And worse, I often get the treatment reserved for lampposts from that creature reportedly famous for gratitude! Or talk of that silly donkey, which having imbibed liberally those flattering posters, kicked the washerman for shredding someone’s yellow towel accidentally. In short, let such dog-days end and no more making asses of masses! To keep it even short, beware of the Veeramanis and the like. Rational flattery is an epidemic here.
Patronage should also cease for the self-obsessed film industry, which has shown an uncanny ability to imitate the chameleon. The celluloid characters had better remain on screen entertaining the audience rather than spill over to the Secretariat (new or old, we don’t know) to enthuse and eulogise the ruler. We have had enough of the latter ticketless entertainment and are sick of it. TN must shed its genetic obsession, namely, cinema, cease to be an absurd theatre and forthwith emerge from make-believe. The ‘change’ must start with a celluloid-immune CM for that is the person this infection targets first. Well, the stars have had their run and the curtains must necessarily come down on their self-serving special shows.
There is another tribe that has to be kept at arm’s length, but I refuse to sound self-incriminating. And there are other sensitive don’ts, reminders from the past, but I would not want to pre-judge. Forgettable pasts are best forgotten and some history should not repeat. But I also wish the new regime forgets its electoral promises. Free mixies do not mix well with good economics while free grinders may bring the State finances to a grinding halt. While fans may keep housewives cool, finance officials are likely to fret and fume. Laptops become obsolete in months and that’s again money down the drain. And it is difficult to monitor if those free cattle do not end up on dinner plates at homes or hotels. The opposition will no doubt cry wolf, but that is assuming they emerge from the spectrum. The people for their part may feel short changed, but eventually they too must change if they were to command any right to demand change.
The to-do list is inexhaustible but can be reeled out in a rush. Power supply, price spiral and L & O are central concerns. TN tops the charts in the country in sale revenue from booze, an addiction as potent as serials and cinema. A relook at Tasmacs and liquor policy itself will do a world of good. Freebies to the common man by making tipplers of them is rather incongruent and even cruel. With governance getting confined to preview theatres, administration remains paralysed, the State’s finances are in a shambles and grassroots corruption is pervasive. One hopes J with her proven admin acumen unshackles the bureaucracy and goads them into action, so that people do not have to run around for even essential official errands. A liberal and apt use of technology can not only address the governance deficits but also make the admin more sensitive and responsive. All these call for political will and there cannot be a greater incentive for that will to manifest itself than the stupendous mandate conferred by the people.
And lest I forget, hats off to the EC. Its officials were up against powerful incumbents in almost all States and how they have won!
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