Noted economist Venkatesh Athreya says that attributing the AIADMK’s phenomenal victory to cash distribution alone was “foolish.” In a multi-cornered contest, he says, the party with the single largest vote share has an advantage.
“This is a political victory. The benefits of the welfare programmes initiated by the AIADMK government have outweighed the negative effects of some detrimental policies. This has earned it popular support,” he says.
Furthermore, the charge of cash distribution was levelled not only against the AIADMK but also other parties, he points out.