The Karnataka High Court judgement acquitting former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and others has come as a major setback to the opposition parties, particularly the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor Vijayakant, who sought to occupy the space expected to be left in the wake of her conviction.
Mr. Vijayakant, who secured the second place and the position of the Leader of the Opposition in the 2011 Assembly polls, could have projected himself as an alternative if the Karnataka High Court had concurred with the order of the trial court, particularly when the DMK is also entangled in the 2G spectrum scam.
When he fell out with Ms. Jayalalithaa, Mr. Vijayakant went all out against the ruling AIADMK and even dared Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on the floor of the Assembly, a feat still unthinkable for other opposition leaders.
The outcome of the High Court verdict, however, has dashed the hopes of Mr. Vijayakant to project himself as a Chief Ministerial candidate. Now he is totally in a position of disadvantage and the option available for him is to join hands with the DMK or to lead his own front.
For the DMK, the verdict came as a rude shock and it may take sometime for it to recover. But as it is a major opposition party with a strong organisational structure, it can gradually regain confidence.
If Mr. Vijayakant comes forward to join the alliance, the DMK can certainly improve its prospects.
The PMK, which is projecting Anbumani Ramadoss as the Chief Ministerial candidate, has been highly critical of the State government. But the party also may find it difficult to sell its idea of an alternative front to both the DMK and the AIADMK. Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) leader G.K. Vasan is maintaining a neutral stand and may sail with the ruling AIADMK. The Congress and the BJP will remain on the fringes till their high command takes a decision on alliances in the future.
