Chennai: Tamilnadu is never short of Chief Minister aspirants.
From seasoned politicos to top stars to political novices, everybody’s aim is to occupy the top chair one day.
That too, it is going to be battle royale during the next Assembly elections, with a bunch of heavyweights gearing up to test their might. The do-or-die democratic war, it appears, will mainly be between the following:
WAIT & WEIGHT
The new president of the DMK was groomed for the Chief Minister post by his father and five-time CM M Karunanidhi. M K Stalin was one stop short of the top job, as he was the Deputy CM till 2011.
He will leave no stone unturned during the next Assembly elections, as it will decide his future and that of his party as well. He will be backed by a cash-rich and organisationally strong party, decades of electioneering experience and alliance partners.
LUCKY, TRICKY
Both Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam are standing examples for how luck could change things all of a sudden. From nowhere to Chief Ministers of Tamilnadu, these overnight superstars, who should thank their stars, will face the Assembly elections as heads of the AIADMK. Though they lack the charisma of their leaders MGR and Jayalalithaa, the ‘power’ of being in power, AIADMK’s loyal vote bank and cadre base may come to their support.
SINGAM ONDRU…
From ‘naan epo varuven, eppadi varuven nu theriyathu…’ to ‘vanthutennu sollu…’, Rajinikanth has literally come a long way. The two-decade long wait by his fans, which partially ended last December, is yet to get fully over, as they are now waiting for their ‘thalaivar’ to float his political party. Appointments and dismissals are already actively taking place in Rajini Makkal Mandram and the launch of the party is expected by the end of this year.
MAATRAM, MUNNETRAM & MORE
If education is a criteria for Chief Minister post, this doctor would have said ‘Anbumani aagiya naan’ long back. Though the former Union Health Minister has a vision plan for Tamilnadu, the past of his party and his father keep on visiting on him.
HERO’S HEALTH
Vijayakanth’s rise to fame in politics was so meteoric and the masses viewed him as their messiah, or ‘karuppu MGR’.
But his wrong decisions and health condition proved costly for the DMDK. It is hoped in party circles that the ‘Captain’, who is undergoing medical treatment, will bounce back in a big way before the next elections.
NEWS ‘NAYAGAN’
Kamal Haasan’s was the surprise entry into politics in the recent times and the actor, known for his box-office battle with Rajinikanth, has apparently decided to give a tough fight to his ‘good friend’ in electoral politics too. Makkal Needhi Maiam promises politics with difference. But the general complaint against ‘Nammavar’ is that he is confusing as politician too.