Politics

Is DMK under pressure from the UPA, NDA?

Is Stalin losing grip over the party?

June 25, 2023

DMK’s political positioning

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the principal ally of Congress in Tamil Nadu is under tremendous political pressure to take a tough stand against BJP at the national level. In the state of Tamil Nadu, DMK is weakened but at the national level, Stalin is hopping from Patna to other regional parties’ headquarters. DMK is rattled as to where it wants to position itself politically. The reason is that the BJP is making steady gains in Tamil Nadu. Congress is not growing in its organization and is totally dependent on the DMK. Is there a narrative that Stalin is fast losing grip? Seniors in DMK quietly share this feeling with others.

ADMK-BJP combine in ‘24?

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the ADMK BJP combine will perform better. The groundswell is visible for ADMK.

A big tug of war-between Governor R N Ravi and DMK Chief Minister Stalin is a point that such tiffs (jhagada) could be avoided in public eyes. But the DMK acted high-handedly on the migrants from UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand and teased them with sellers of Pani Poori walas which has not gone well with Tamil masses. Voters feel that Modi has kept Governor R N Ravi intentionally to irritate the DMK. “Yes, it is politics,” says K Annamalai, BJP chief in Tamil Nadu.

PM Modi, Sitharaman, Jaishankar to contest from TN?

Also, the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar canceling his Tamil Nadu visit was seen as a weakness for Opposition unity. Strategically the BJP is furling top Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Yogi Adityanath to many parts of Tamil Nadu. And Modi is preparing for a strong base for BJP in Tamil Nadu through Banaras Tamil Sangamam and Sengol. These do indicate that Narendra Modi may consider trying a seat from South Chennai or Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency. PM Modi is keen that Nirmala Sitaraman, and Dr. Jaishankar contest from Coimbatore and Trichy Lok Sabha seats. So with these combo approaches, both UPA and NDA in Tamil Nadu will be interesting. In recent months Superstar Rajnikant has been backing out of politics; other Tamil Cine heroes like Jacob Vijay, and Ajith are making inroads in the vote base. If they enter the DMK, it could wean away the anti-incumbencies of DMK.

DMK wants to deny Modi a hat-trick

M K Stalin, the leader of DMK has been very clear that BJP and PM Modi should not do a hat-trick in 2024. The onslaught of the Enforcement Directorate on DMK is serious. The agency is focused on three or four top ministers of DMK on corruption and massive money laundering to many foreign countries. In the public eye, the DMK is squeezed. Its senior Minister Senthil Balaji is arrested. To avoid getting into jail, the party is trying all methods of medical, political, and legal manipulation. Dramatic scenarios are enacted. DMK is riddled with factionalism. Most of the DMK ministers were defectors from Jayalalitha ADMK. Now those ADMK leaders dominate Stalin.

The first family members are the key link between DMK Party and the DMK government. Many seniors do not like this extra-dominating style of defectors.

Moreover, DMK has its extra baggage of always after anti-Hindi, anti-North Indian policies which will result in voters from the North rejecting the DMK.

Strong Opposition a distant dream

In that case, how would a string opposition emerge? Will Nitish Kumar’s concept of one candidate against the BJP in 450 Lok Sabha seats be implemented? Congress outsourcing unity efforts to Nitish Kumar is not welcomed by Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar. With these utter confusions, DMK is rattled. Under pressure, DMK may even opt for strategic solutions post-2024 Lok Sabha polls. DMK is in a crisis. And also in a tight spot. Narendra Modi’s onslaught against DMK is certainly felt by senior DMK leaders. DMK can’t still scare the Centre with a separatism narrative. First-time voters born after Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi regimes are now looking for a solution. And that vacuum space may be captured by BJP youth leader Annamalai. In Tamil Nadu BJP is set to launch a state-wide padayatra in July. The modern-day children want digital outreach, Artificial intelligence-related innovations, and not petty Dravidian politics. Yes, Dravidian ideologues feel with Digital World the change is happening in Tamil Nadu. DMK can’t close its eyes to these ground swells.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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R Rajagopalan

R Rajagopalan is a veteran journalist. He reported Parliament proceedings for Dinamani and Vaartha. Since 1980. A well known face in English TV debates. He Widely traveled with Presidents and Prime Ministers.