Cho S. Ramaswamy, Editor of Thuglak, who has been observing Chief Minister and All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa “from a distance,” as he puts it, says her recent action of expelling long-time friend V.K. Sasikala and many of her family members from the party is a “determined effort to see that no extra-constitutional authorities function.” Mr. Ramaswamy replied to questions from T. Ramakrishnan on how he viewed Ms. Jayalalithaa in her capacities as political leader and Chief Minister.
As a political analyst, how do you view the development of expulsion of V.K. Sasikala from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam?
As you have said, I can only speak as a political analyst — the man who observes things from a distance, not even from close quarters as some people imagine. Viewing it from a distance, I see it as a determined attempt to cleanse the administration, streamline the functioning of the party and bring about transparency in governance. Also, I see in this a determined effort to see that no extra constitutional authorities function in this State. These are the messages which I get from the latest developments, as an observer from a distance.
Are you sure that this will not lead to the replacement of X by Y ?
I don't see the possibility of it. You must have somebody in mind. If one sees the possibility, one must have somebody in mind — this person will replace somebody who has been displaced. I do not have any such person. As I see, there is no such possibility because I do not see any such person.
I had asked the question only in the context of the practice of some prominent leaders having confidants.
No political leader in the world can function in a vacuum. There must be some reliable persons with whom one can exchange ideas. But, when there is a perception that the person starts substituting himself for the leader, it becomes difficult. That is when an extra-constitutional authority emerges, not till then. Ultimately, all decisions are taken with the consent of the leader. Even ‘Mahabharata' says, do consult a few persons but let not your decisions be known even to the persons whom you consult.
But, when the person with whom the exchange of ideas takes place assumes the role of a leader, problems do emerge. Whenever there is an overreach, there is a problem. Till such time people keep themselves to limits, no extra constitutional authority can emerge.
In the given case, did it arise?
I assume it must have. Otherwise, the actions would not have been necessitated. The actions that have been taken (by Ms Jayalalithaa) are not personal. Personally, Ms. Jayalalithaa may have no problems with somebody. But, when it comes to administration, needs of the State and requirements of proper governance, she must have seen problems. And, that is why these actions have been taken. This has nothing to do with personal likes and dislikes. That's how I see it from a distance. You repeat it, ‘from a distance.'
There is a perception that the government is slipping from its focus in core developmental issues such as power. As she has four and a half years, how should Ms. Jayalalithaa go about in tackling issues concerning governance?
In the first part of your question regarding electricity, the problem was created not by this government but the previous government. This problem cannot be sorted out just by switching on a light. It takes time to generate electricity.
It (the power scenario) had been in a mess when she took over. We all know it. The State was plunged into darkness in the last five years. She has to light it up. She is making attempts. I think the government has gone on record that things will ease up very much in about six months. We have to understand that it takes time to set matters right.
You see, I am given a car to drive. I have been appointed the driver. But, the car is in a hopeless condition because of what the previous driver did. Shock absorbers have gone. The engine does not work. All tyres are punctured. I have to set it right first. She (Ms Jayalalithaa) is in that position. She is setting it right.
Regarding the second part of the question, I do not think that there are many in this country who have understood administration as much as she has. She has a very good grip over the administration. She has set her priorities – power generation, industrialisation, environmental protection, medical care for the poor, and education. All these things she has started implementing. It is not as if she needs direction from a person like me who is a commentator. You see, when (Sachin) Tendulkar is playing (cricket] I may find fault with him but you can't challenge me to go and play like him. That is the advantage of being, what people call, a political analyst.
Do you see whether she has got greater political ambitions – playing a big role at the national level?
I do not think that she has any agenda like that. But, she is not the person to shirk any responsibility because she is the one who meets challenges head on. You have seen it in her career. She takes up challenges but it does not mean she is running after positions.
You ask any administrator in the State who has served various Chief Ministers. They would tell you that she is very good at grasping matters concerning governance. She is a very determined character. If she takes it up, she would discharge her responsibilities and come out with flying colours. That does not mean that I feel she is going to take it up.
Keywords: Jayalalithaa, Sasikala expulsion, AIADMK, Tamil Nadu politics
Sir, I quite agree to Mr. C.S. sivakumar view and like to add that lot of land grabbing cases are cropped up. Earlier only few cases were reported but Now it beyond control. The main tool the land grabber use is forged documents with the help of registration officials. All the registration officials should also summoned for inquiry and other proceeding and should also be punished at the final verdict if found guilty.....
The biggest problem with Jayalalithaa is that she is not approchable even by eminent persons of the society. A top leader has to have the ears and eyes open at all times to know what is happening around. she has created an image of not willing to listen to others and also willing to take the views of others, with the result, even a few people who have access to reach, tell her what she likes and not the actual real situations. Sasikala and group have fully utilised this aspect of Jayalalitha's personality and built their empire. There is nothing wrong in learning even from your adversaries like Karunanidhi.. It would do her a lot of good if she makes her approachable to all those who matter in the society. She has all the potential to lead the country; but her handicap is herself and her attitude.
It is very casual a remark by anyone to suggest that the Dravidian
parties have done little to the state of TN.Compared among the
southern states developments in Agriculture Education Panchayatiraj
Transportation PDS and general living standards in rural areas are
very much there to see.But the one sad aspect of these two parties is
that they have misconstrued the public adoration to the extent of
giving up public service for personal aggrandisement.If only they
revert back to their zeal for public good it would suffice.Anyway the
TN govt should put a ceiling on industialisation that has put a severe
strain on available natural resources.
Biggest draw back in our country is that we do not understand that the money spent by government is our money in the form of tax revenue. If political parties throw away that money in the form of free colour TV /subsidies etc to win votes, we should reject them and vote for the party which assures clean administration. Of course, when this has already taken place, to overcome this issue, others should also compete equally on freebies. At least henceforth, TN state should arrest leakages, bring down prices and build infrastructures in all fields. In this respect, action taken on her close associates is to be welcomed.
The previous DMK govt. put the blame on the Dravidian predecessor AIADMK govt., for all the ills on the power front. Now it is the turn of the present Dravidian govt. to turn the tables again on their opponents. So, the role of any current administration is to pass the blame on to the previous regime. A Munnetra Kazhagam gets elected on big agenda and once in power, cleverly heaps abuse on the previous regime. These are Pinnetra Kazhagams, in reality. Does it require a Chanakyan analyst to interpret the mysteries of the ding-dong Dravidian rule? He seems to be more of an apologist for the non-performance of his currently favourite politician.
Does it take six months into an administration for a person who is 'very good at grasping matters concerning governance' and 'a very determined character' to expel Sasikala and her coterie? Mr. Cho, you should perhaps strive to analyze things more closely rather than 'from a distance'.
In the first part of your question regarding electricity, the problem was created not by this government but the previous government. This problem cannot be sorted out just by switching on a light. It takes time to generate electricity. Obviously, the previous goverment's problems were because of the previouse JJ governments inaction in the power front. How can this government set things in order just in six months, if the DMK government did not lay the foundations for new plants? I thought, Mr. Cho was an intelligent person.
It is strange that readers like Najumuddin see religion in anything and everything. What does right-wing leaning have to do with Cho's views on JJ ?
Frequently changing her cabinet ministers, changing higher officials.and
replacing her party cadets proves that she doesn't have / know
administration.She always thinking that how to use her power to escape
from wealth case.Her previous and present rule has done nothing for TN
people comparing with her arch rival Karuna.
Tamil Nadu has seen the administration capacity of Jayalalitha previously twice and the people of Tamil Nadu
might not have forgotten her mis-governance in her two tenures.How CHO is having so much faith on Jayalalitha,one can not understand.And how CHO still blame the DMK,for the failures of Jayalalitha even after of 7 months of governance?
And CHO knows that not a single political party in India will trust Jayalalithaa,forget about she become the PM of India.
Yes Jaya is doing her best. I agree that things cannot be corrected overnight. she is trying. First comes food, then shelter, then medical help, then roads and communications and then only electricity. But her party associates may not allow her to do all these things as these projects do not carry large amounts of money . After all the ministers and MLA's are there for money and not for her or Chennai. They would like to see larger projects which are not wanted now and can be messed up for the next four years so that no one will be able to put a finger on it when they leave. That is precisely what the previous government has done. They looted the country.
If Jaya wants to do anything at all, she should get rid of all the oldies who control the administration and start all over again. A page from history on this , But to when he became Prime Minister of Pakistan, forced retirement of all 50 years old civil servants.
Jaya should do the same if she wants to improve her State.
I agree with Mr Cho that Ms Jayalilitha has inclination to do good for the people and the state. By removing extra constitutional authorities around her, i hope that good things will start happening in coming days.
Let the Tamilnadu Education reformation taken up on priority. All govt school teachers educated their children in private convent schools only. How the standards in govt school would improve in such a double game played by the teachers? First bring the law to make the govt school teachers to immediately admit their children in govt schools, the standard will improve tremendously.
Mr Cho and many of us may be wrong. Both Ms JJ and Sasikala believe in astrology in particular the Indian astrology.I suspect these are well executed plan with false belief that a person with bad fortune stay away from the other until the good time comes back!!! They will continue to be currupt, let the law ask explanations how this family got all these property, wealth. We will see whether JJ or the Indian Law do anything.
The difference between Cho and Sasikala & co appears only the 'distance' from which they 'see' things
Any move that the CM takes to bring a) fiscal prudence, b) increased productivity and c) transparency in government would do a lot of good to TN. TN govt. should also have a closer look at the health situation and child mortality and nutrition.
JJ is facing charges of corruption in the court of law and her ways and means to avoid facing the court is well known. I wonder whether an advisor like Cho would ever dare to ask this question to her about avoiding law. Mr. Ramaswamy finds her talented in administration but does not find fault when she starts finding frivolous excuses like moving the library, education, moving state HC just because they were started by the previous government. How much ever he will try to project an image of intelligence behind this current administration, he may not be able to show anything tangible in the end as this dispensation works on arrogance as a pillar of governance.
Amma should be projected to become prime minister.She will take drastic action against corrupt people.
At a time when India is trying to fight corruption in a large scale, at a time when India is facing a huge nexus due to families of politicians, at a time when JJ has been blessed with a very good mandate, at a time when a CM like JJ who does not have the blood related family to interfere, at a time when people are looking forward to some politician to turn the table and focus on good governance, what has happened can be seen as a very positive move provided the intentions are genuine and results are good for the people of the State and the country.
Amma has got rid of the extra constituional authority. She should be wary of sycophants. She should concentrate on doing good to the socalled people living below the poverty line.
If she is such a talented and visionary, why she didn't take intiative to KKNP operational?
While his comments with regard to Jayalalitha and her administrative powers may correct. There appears a clear bias underneath his extremely positive comments is his so called distant analytical approach with his right wing credentials.
One more question Mr. Cho: Do you think that Team Anna is an extra consitutional authority, functioning outside the administration?
Like Mr. Cho, there are many distant observers who also have similar views on the present Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. When tough action is warranted for the common good of the people, she is not one to waver or procrastinate. In this regard, in the present situation the country is in, some one like Ms. Jayalalithaa is required at the centre.She has the potential to govern the country as PM.One can unhesitatingly state that very few present day leaders on the national scene match her in this quality.(It is worth recalling each word uttered by her in the interview given to TIMES NOW with that proved to be a turning point in more ways than one in the national political scenario). For this to happen, she should build a second line of leaders to take charge of Tamilnadu, when the national political dimensions demand it.
Mr Ramasawmy qualifies for the patron membership of 'Praise Jayalalitha Society'. His self-restraint in praising her is evident in the interview. According to him, all the misfortunes of the poeple of Tamil Nadu is due to the previous administration and Ms Jayalalitha is the saviour. Mr Ramaswami, there is a limit to sycopancy.
Cho Ramasawmy , watching the performance of CM from distance, but with a closer view from the Poes garden, has very rightly concluded that the CM has taken earnest steps to cleanse the administration. It is not the proximity of people close to the power that derails the administration but the motive behind the people that makes the difference. If the closeness is used to do good for the larger community for common good nothing wrong but then if it paves the way for private harvest/ for the personal gain and then we have a problem. In the long run the CM will have to depend on many people and their 'will' may rule the state unless the CM keeps a watchful eye. But then it is a big task.
My observation on Sri.Cho Ramaswamy comments on TN CM Jayalalitha. Her administration capacity and her dream to make TN a numero uno state,all sounds very logical and she has the ability to achieve. In the power front no doubt the previous Government have messed up the situation and only few months before to their ouster, additional power generation units work started and this will take at least 3yrs for completion, based on this the present Government has assured the people of TN 2015 as the target date for power surplus. So in this prevailing condition Jayalalitha is playing politics and has not shown any sensible attitude to Kundankulam Nuclear plant, which promises 950 mega watt power to the state before 2012 may, contrary she is siding with the Protestors. Is it justified? Many top Nuclear experts have vouched for its safety. You are her "friend from a distance" and use the same yard stick and advice her accordingly.
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