As ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ (discussing political issues over a cup of tea) takes centre stage in the run-up to the general election, not many may be aware that the union territory of Puducherry has relished its own historical variant of it, unique and vivacious to the cosmopolitan culture that this former French enclave has fostered.
And politicians here practise it too well in tea stalls, saloons and beauty parlours.
It is something that squares well with an old description in the lingo of ‘Dravidian politics’ in erstwhile Madras Presidency that barber shops had been at one stage ‘incubation centres’ for their rationalist ideas.
Much before ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ came to be projected as the saffron party’s political innovation in reaching out to the common people at humble tea stalls, ubiquitous politicians and leaders in Pondicherry, as it is widely known have, never disowned these little hubs of political activity.
Whether it is the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, V. Narayanasamy, or the present Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, who briefly won the sobriquet of being ‘Puducherry’s Kamaraj’ for his simple attire, it is a common sight here to see them drop by a roadside tea or coffee shop to chat about issues that affect the people at large.
When Mr. Narayanasamy, who is seeking re-election for the single Puducherry Lok Sabha seat as a Congress nominee this time, recently visited Villianur, a rural hamlet near here, he suddenly stopped to have tea at a roadside stall.
As if not to be overtaken in this aspect, on the same day, Mr. Rangasamy, who heads the breakaway ‘All India N. Rangasamy Congress’ and backed by the BJP in this poll, also signalled his motorcade to stop for a while to refresh at a tea shop. Both used the occasion to meet their party cadre and rural voters to seek votes.
“Most of the top politicians in Puducherry are from humble origins. In fact, it was often political talk that played out at tea shops that played a role in their foray into politics,” says a functionary of the Pradesh Congress Committee.
The Indian Coffee House here is an iconic meeting point which sought to build on the old French mores.
Unlike in the larger neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the total voters in an Assembly segment in Puducherry does not exceed 30,000 on an average. It meant that the elected representatives will have to reach out to each and every voter individually in all possible ways, explained another political party functionary.
Tea shops and saloons have been the ‘originating points’ of the making and unmaking of politicians, forming opinions on candidates and about governments, opines P. Muthu, a tea shop owner in Lawspet.
“Though I don’t like my shop being used for talking politics, I am unable to stop it. Out of 10 customers, at least five speak politics and the trend in the elections after glancing through newspapers,” says Muthu. The number is even higher in saloons, where customers spend at least 30 minutes for a hair cut.
“I get all sorts of customers including the neo-rich. Most of them invariably discuss politics, about functioning of village panchayats, to the goings on in Parliament. On many occasions, heated arguments can be heard. Some clever politicians use both saloon and tea shops as centres of polarisation on opinions and views. They can never be separated from politics,” says N. Ayyappan, a saloon owner in Krishna Nagar.
