The DMK’s high-level executive committee will meet on Wednesday at Anna Arivalayam to deliberate on the strategy for the next Lok Sabha elections.
Having lost three successive elections — 2011 (Assembly), 2014 (Lok Sabha) and 2016 (Assembly) — the DMK has more at stake than any other political party, as the outcome of the 2019 polls will be crucial for sustaining the morale of both leaders and the rank and file of the party.
Though the party’s newly elected president, M.K. Stalin, is no stranger to managing election campaigns, what is different this time is the fact that the State has seen the passing away of two political heavyweights — Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi — who, between them, were able to chart a political course independent of the trend elsewhere in the nation.
For instance, Jayalalithaa’s famous slogan — ‘Modi or this lady’ — had a tremendous impact in the 2014 election and made the AIADMK the third largest party in the Lok Sabha, with 37 seats.
Also, with the entry of new players like actors Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth (though the latter is yet to formally float his party), the DMK may find it difficult to cash in on the “anti-incumbency factor” in Tamil Nadu.
DMK election committee secretary T.M. Selvaganapathy, however, sought to differ, saying the AIADMK won in 2014 because Jayalalithaa succeeded in creating an impression that she would be Prime Minister of the country after the election. “It is only natural that people of a State would want to see their leader as Prime Minister, and Jayalalithaa’s argument cut ice with (sections of ) the Tamil Nadu voters. The campaign against the UPA-II also worked in her favour,” he said.
If the Modi factor dominated the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the question whether Mr. Modi should be retained or voted out would dominate the 2019 polls, he contended.
“A strong alliance in which the Congress is a partner will help us to capitalise on the anti-Modi sentiments and the anti-incumbency factor,” he added.
Former Union Minister and DMK propaganda secretary A. Raja said his party did not expect much of a challenge as the prevailing situation had made it difficult for the BJP to exploit anything in its favour.
“In 2014, Modi was projected as someone larger than the party and the BJP harvested votes in the name of the 2G and Coalgate scams. After coming to power, Modi made tall promises, including double-digit GDP growth and providing two crore jobs; but he fulfilled none,” said Mr. Raja.
According to him, the educated section of the population was upset with the BJP’s attempt to undermine the Constitution and secular values and was angry with the “saffronisation efforts”.
Regional aspirations
According to Mr. Raja, another factor that would work against the BJP was the aspiration of regional parties and their leaders, who would not want to project Mr. Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate. “The aspirations have sharpened as never before. Regional leaders would prefer a government in which their party will also participate. And our leader Mr. Stalin will play a major role,” he said.
DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi foresaw favourable conditions, as had existed in the 1996 elections. “The State will witness simultaneous polls to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha since the AIADMK government will collapse under the weight of rampant corruption and raids against Ministers by central agencies. We will sweep the polls,” he said. But he felt the money power of the ruling party would pose a challenge.
