The Hindu : AIADMK sets its sights on rule in Pondicherry

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

AIADMK sets its sights on rule in Pondicherry

By Suresh Nambath

CHENNAI DEC. 30 . Although the recent AIADMK general council meeting here was dominated by partymen articulating the need for the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, eventually becoming Prime Minister, the party, in the follow-up period, is witnessing a forward movement in the less fanciful goal of establishing AIADMK rule in Pondicherry.

While the functionaries are waiting for Ms. Jayalalithaa to define the `national role' of the AIADMK, they have clearer guidelines on the course in Pondicherry. As the alliance with the Congress no longer exists, the AIADMK is free to build the party as an alternative.

Indeed, partymen in Pondicherry blame the alliance with the Congress for the AIADMK never emerging as a party which could bid for power in the Union Territory. Most of the time, the AIADMK played second fiddle to the Congress, and in the last election, it allowed the PMK to stake claim for Chief Ministership as a partner in the alliance.

At the general council meeting, Ms. Jayalalithaa acknowledged the importance of the AIADMK capturing power in Pondicherry. However, one of the problems there is the absence of a charismatic leader. For a party, which encourages leadership-worship, this is a serious shortcoming. The former Chief Minister, D. Ramachandran, now Speaker, was expelled from the AIADMK for refusing to toe an anti-Congress line. Besides, the party is faction-ridden, removed as it is one step from the eyes of the high command. The absence of a `unifying force' is felt in the various organisational wings in Pondicherry.

As part of its electoral agreements with the Congress, the AIADMK stayed out of the race for power in the Union Territory, in return for its support in Tamil Nadu. Not surprisingly, like the Congress in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK in Pondicherry was never seen as a serious player.

The AIADMK has already disbanded the MGR formula of seat-sharing, under which it would contest in two-thirds of the Assembly constituencies and one-third of the Lok Sabha seats, leaving the rest to the Congress. This after the AIADMK realised the possibilities of coalition politics at the national level. Now that the Congress itself is no longer a potential ally and the PMK too is in the opposition camp, the party is willing to explore the possibilities in Pondicherry.

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