E.V.Rama Swami Naicker, Periyar as he is fondly called, must be turning in his grave over the development now going on in the Dravidian parties across the State of Tamil Nadu especially over the development on the political front. The ideals for which he fought for and gained after bitter struggles had already come to a nought. As the days move ahead, its political leaders, especially Dravida parties - once there was only one Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) which later got split into Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), headed by a man of dignity and integrity C.N.Annadurai, further got multiplied into AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) - a section of the mother party, DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), besides MDMK, PMK, DMDK - a host of little entities to partake in the race to partake in the race to taste the fruits of power, either siding with DMK or with AIADMK, two parties always at loggerheads, not due to any ideological differences but both the products of kingsize ego. AIADMK was formed under the leadership of M.G.Ramachandran fondly called MGR, a shining star in the field of Tamil tinsel world. The feud in DMK started after the passing away of C.N.Annadurai, with M.Karunanidhi at one end and M.G.Ramachandran (MGR) at the other end needless to mention here both bitter personal enemies and after MGR's death, his right-hand throughout his life Kumari Jayalalitha took up the mantle, it is worh remembering here that she was the Propaganda Secretary of the Party and then evolved into the all in all of the AIADMK, the 'Amma' of the masses.
Though both Karunanidhi, Kalaignar as he is widely known across Thamizhagam and Jayalalitha stand firm and united on matters concerning the interests of their Home State and both during their tenures allegedly earned notoriety for various charges of commission and commission especially corruption.
Once a Congress citadel, Tamil Nadu later turned out to be the monopoly of Dravida parties and with them stealing the lime-light, regional chauvinism spread across the State and it still continues to rule the roost with the leaders of Indian National Congress helplessly watching sitting in the periphery. A great leader of the stature of K.Kamaraj didn't emerge on the scene, couldn't emerge on the scene upon the latter's death and it seems such a possibility never rising again in the coming days. Though Rahul Gandhi, the youthful leader of Indian National Congress keeps grand designs of widening the network of his national party not only in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and has dared to take on Kumari Mayawati in UP, the Chief Minister and leader of Bahujan Samajwadi Party andNitish Kumar, the Chief Minister and leader of Janata Dal (United) his ambition being to evolve Congress into a party of yesteryears means a party capable of ruling the nation single-handed bidding goodbye to coalition politics. It is a widely accepetd truth that such a possibility has no chance of coming to fruition even in the distant future. All the command, loyalty and popularity forefeited by his own party and to regain the credibility of the past aong the masses the party takes not much interest except doling out peanuts to the masses. Platitudes abound, but that is not enough.
The failure on this front led to the mushrooming of regional outfits and such regional outfits upon gaining the faith of its supporters gradually spread their bases ultimately contesting elections and winning handsown at the hustings.
Such sights we witness in some States like Tamil Nadu as the regional outfits not nursing much national ambitions, always take pains to cater to the needs of the masses, the welfare of the masses, the prosperity of the masses by their popular friendly measures. When one outfit fails to come up to the expectations of the masses they turn to the opposite outfit who ready with its promises and assurances, grabs the opportunity and occupies the saddle.
Their only aim being the welfare of their beloved State and the masses , their MPs join hands with the ruling party at the Centre and bargain for coveted portfolios in the cabinet, introduce people-friendly measures in their respective States adopt various methods including arm-twisting of the ruling party threatening the ruling party with withdrawal of support.
These regional outfits always take care to stay cohesive, whatsoever the differences, none in those parties dares to make it public and learns to live with them. Such stands pay rich dividends to, not only the party but also certain leaders especially Ministers.
Mustering much confidence, they have reasons aplenty to remain confident and such parties have the strength to upset the apple-cart - the very stability of the central govt - some Ministers turn corrupt and pocket as much wealth as possible to the tune of crores and crores of rupees. When allegations of of corruption are levelled against them, they go on denying such allegations even on the 2G Spectrum allocation draining the exchequer to the tune of 1.76 crores by the Minister for Telecom and Information Technology, A.Raja, which the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports establishing with facts and figures along with Supreme Court's indictment, the Minister sticks on with the support extended to him by his beloved leader Kalaignar and the entire party members solidly standing behind him. He has firmly denied all the allegations levelled against him and goes on arguing that he had done nothing out of hand and whatever he did was by consulting none other than Prime Minister Dr.ManMohan Singh landing Dr.Singh and the entire govt machinery in a quandary. The demand to vacate the portfolio would surely anger the DMK leadership and would lead to withdrawal of support to the government. The opposition remaining firm on one side to oust the fellow and on the other side the tainted one standing firm with all-out support of the party from behind the 'Men of dignity' well-known for their honesty and integrity are in a Catch-22 situation.
A.Raja, the Minister for Tele-Communications and Information Technology who is alleged to have caused Rs.1.76 crore loss to the ex-chequer would have been dismissed if a stern authority were in power but a wavering authority is still hesitating to force the allegedly tainted Minister to go out fearing instability.
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