The DMDK-PWF alliance in Tamil Nadu — billed as the ‘Third Front’ — is fighting hard to stay in the contest with opinion polls suggesting that the State is going to witness a two-way fight between the DMK and the AIADMK.
In contrast to the Dravidian majors, which have mobilised an army of campaigners, including small-time television actors and movie stars, the leaders of the ‘Third Front’ are crisscrossing the State and are holding the campaign reins themselves to impress on voters the need for change.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, who was instrumental in getting together the smaller parties on the table before the DMDK joined it, says the front is attempting to effect a deep-going political change in the State.
“Democratisation of political power is the only way to curb an autocratic government. How can change in the party or leader bring in any meaningful change? I will state categorically that we will not support the AIADMK or the DMK if such a situation arises after the elections,” Mr. Thirumavalavan tells The Hindu as he moves around Chennai in his campaign vehicle.
Structure of powerAccusing sections of the media of colluding with the DMK and the AIADMK, he says there is an attempt to preserve the binary nature of politics in the State.
“It is a premeditated attempt by the media and the big-moneyed industrialists to confuse people into thinking that the fight is only between the DMK and the AIADMK. In my experience over the last few months, even those who are not our primary vote bank say that they favour a change,” Mr. Thirumavalavan says.
Dismissing suggestions that missteps by leaders such as Vijayakant and Vaiko have embarrassed the alliance and taken the shine off it, Mr. Thirumavalan says that he, in fact, anticipated it.
“With the big leaders yet to start their campaigns, we got attention and space from the media when we struck the deal. When the Chief Minister and the former chief minister came out to campaign in full force, we expected the media to give them all the importance. The media may not be interested in us, but the people still are.”
‘Economic fantasy’The conversation then veers towards the promises made by ruling party in the run-up to the election. The AIADMK’s manifesto, Mr. Thirumavalan says, is an “economic fantasy” and is full of “desperate measures.”
“The State is in enormous debt and most of these policies are simply unviable. It only shows that the present government will go to any extent — even use public money in the most irresponsible manner — to cajole the voters. But the youngsters of today will see through all this.”
In his speeches across the city, the VCK leader comes down hard on the Chief Minister on two major issues — prohibition and Lokayukta.
“She says she will bring Lokayukta if changes are made to the law. No leader committed to ending corruption will say that. When Sasikala-linked Midas Distilleries owns 70 per cent of the market share, how will she shut down the liquor shops? It is all just eye wash,” he tells his supporters.
Asked about future of Dalit politics in the State, the VCK chief says that as long as marginalised Dalits remain outside political power, their rehabilitation and uplift are not possible.
