Jayalalithaa’s win in Tamil Nadu was not at all easy. She deployed all sorts of strategies including, of course, freebies, to retain her post, writes A PRABAHARAN
When psephologists undertook the election prediction exercise in four States and one Union Territory, all were clear except Tamil Nadu. The reason for ambiguity in the poll prediction for Tamil Nadu was the evasive J Jayalalithaa. She rarely reveals her secrets and strategies. Most of her opponents talk frequently to the media about their plans.
But Jayalalithaa employed confident people to undertake pre-poll election surveys long before the announcement of the poll dates. Accordingly she deployed her strategies to divide the Opposition camps. Once the divided Opposition was compelled to face her mighty party, she was confident of victory. Finally, her All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was triumphant, and able to break the 22-years old trend of voting out the incumbent in Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK supremo and the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, is well-known for her measured talk and timely actions. Fondly called as amma (mother), she prepared her party to victory meticulously. If she had lost this election it could have been because of her miscalculation to abandon the allies who came to her voluntarily.
The Tamil Maanila Congress, the Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi, the Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and others approached her for alliance. She kept them waiting till the last minute and, at last, dictated severe terms and conditions. Without an alternative, they were forced to contest on their own. Although these parties do not command a big share of votes, they could have helped her win a few more seats. In a loss, she could have regretted her decision, but in a victory, she is right.
Amma directed the powerful Ministers and leaders who failed to meet her expectations to contest against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam bigwigs in order to checkmate their shift in loyalty and work against the party candidates if they were denied party ticket to contest election. She chose this strategy. It worked very well.
For instance, Natham Viswanathan was made to contest against I Periyasamy in Attur constituency which is a stronghold of the DMK. likely, KP Munusamy contested against Anbumani Ramadoss in Pennagaram and V Senthil Balaji against DMK's strongman KC Palanisamy in Karur. With all their might and clout if they won against the DMK strong candidates it was a great game, otherwise it was a harsh punishment for the Amma's rule violators.
So, what brought her victoryIJ Jayalalithaa is tough administrator who helped the State overcome the electric power crisis. Before she assumed office in 2011, there were more than 10 hours of power cut a day across the State. Today, she has almost eliminated the power crisis in the State.
Moreover, the Amma canteens that serve subsidised food at Rs15 per plate have been highly successful. A neat and clean Amma breast-feeding centre in bus stands and public places helps mothers feed their children.
Also, how can we forget about Jayalalithaa’s judicial journey to win the State rights in Mullaperiyar Dam issue with Kerala and Kaveri river issue with Karnataka, when the Union Government wanted to disinvest in Neyveli lignite Corporation and she stepped in front and bought those shares in the interests of agitating workers.
She also controlled the crowd which went against the nuclear power plant in Koodankulam, and offered Rs100 cable television connection per month, free cows, goats, bicycles, books, bags, four gm gold and Rs50,000 to poor girls who were getting married — all of this worked in her favour.
When the floods devastated Chennai and Cuddalore in December, she directed the bureaucracy and her party machinery to help the affected people. It was a well-handled natural disaster despite the opponents charges against her for not getting down the ground. In short, Amma aka Jayalaithaa deployed all sorts of strategies, game plans, freebies to get back the ruling party status in Tamil Nadu. It was simply because of her calm, cool and brilliant planning and implementation. She can be considered as one of the best political masters in the country today. However, it’s time to keep a check on the law and order situation, corruption and ensure all around development the State.
(The writer is dean of Nehru Memorial College, Puthanampatty, Trichy, Tamil Nadu)