Jayalalithaa may opt for early polls in TN

Tamil Nadu may see early poll to the Assembly if the words and deeds of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa are any indication. last week, Jayalalithaa announced in the legislative Assembly a series of popular social welfare measures like Amma Health Programmes for the benefit of economically backward sections of the society. She followed it up with another important announcement that her Government would construct a suitable memorial for late Sivaji Ganesan, a popular Tamil movie actor.

Friday saw Jayalalithaa ordering a major reshuffle in the bureaucracy. Many senior officers who have been put on waiting list got postings and some have been entrusted with crucial departments like Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Jayalalithaa, who is also the general secretary of the AIADMK, strengthened the IT wing of the party on Saturday by introducing a group of computer and management professionals drawn out from the corporate world.

It is widely believed that she may prefer to go to the electorate immediately after the Global Investors’ Meet scheduled for September 9 and 10. “In normal course, Tamil Nadu Assembly elections should take place either in April or May 2016. But right now what we see is that Jayalalithaa is in a powerful position with no anti-incumbency factor against her. The popular schemes like Amma Canteens, Amma Pharmacy, Amma Mineral Water, Amma Cement, Amma Homes and the Amma Health Programmes have been a hit in Tamil Nadu and it is certain that she would sweep the elections if it is held now,” N Kalyanasundaram, veteran scribe and chronicler of Tamil Nadu politics, told The Pioneer.

The entire propaganda wing of the AIADMK is on a mission mode since early August. All spokespersons of the party like CR Saraswathi and Avadi Kumar are all in a campaign mode addressing public meetings in the districts. During the day time, they meet individual voters and speak to them about the importance of re-electing the AIADMK for another term.

Rama Ramanathan, former AIADMK MlA from Kumbhakonam is a busy person nowadays. “I am addressing street corner meetings to propagate the details of the good works done by Amma in the last four years. We are getting good turnout for these meetings and the general impression is that Amma would win with a massive mandate,” said Ramanathan.

What strengthens Jayalalithaa’s position in Tamil Nadu is the failure of the Opposition to find a common ground against her. There are five Chief Ministerial candidates among the Opposition parties and all are pulling each other’s legs rather than sorting out their differences. 

Vaiko, the MDMK leader has declared that a non-AIADMK and non-DMK Government would be formed after the next election. The Joint Movement for People’s Welfare, the self-styled Third Front in Tamil Nadu has the CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, VCK and the MMK as constituents. Interestingly, the MMK is an Islamic extremist outfit which is propped up by the lefts who swear by secularism.

The factor which strengthens the possibility of an early election is the weather in Tamil Nadu. While March, April and May are known for scorching heat, the pleasant weather during November and December may suit Jayalalithaa for campaigning. She had to cancel some of the travel plans in the recent past because of the hot weather or her indifferent health.