The AIADMK government, in the absence of Jayalalithaa, is being seen as politically malleable, with the divisions within the ruling party putting a question mark over its future.
S. Gurumurthy, editor of Thuglak magazine, contends that there is no road ahead for the ruling party, unless both its factions come together. “There are some issues between them [the factions] over the merger. In the absence of a charismatic leader, it’s sail or sink for them unless they agree on someone [to lead them]. Though they say anything can happen in politics, as things stand now for AIADMK, the road ahead is bleak,” he says.
He also notes how the government, which was always known as the Jayalalithaa government, has now come to be known as the AIADMK government.
However, editor of Junior Vikatan P. Thirumavelan disputes the premise that it is only now that governance is taking a hit. He argues that Jayalalithaa had begun losing interest in administration as early as 2012 due to two major reasons — her health and the disproportionate assets case. “She was only making announcements and interacting with a few officials to run the government. In fact, there hasn’t been a proper government since 2010, when then Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi was confined to a wheel chair,” he claims.
Leadership vacuum
In the absence of a strong leader, the AIADMK government would not sustain for long. “The BJP, which is keen to set foot here, would wait till the Parliamentary polls or till the time they find a popular leader for Tamil Nadu. Also, those in the AIADMK government and its MLAs are remaining in place only to retain power, and so, there is no intention to provide an efficient government,” he charges.
Electricity Minister P. Thangamani insists that the AIADMK is under no duress and is very much proceeding in the way that was intended by Jayalalithaa. “There is no threat to the government and we will certainly govern for the full term and even beyond. We are also confident of bringing back the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction [into the ruling party], as we have an open heart and an open mind.”
The DMK, though, is sceptical. The party’s deputy floor leader in the Assembly, Durai Murugan, has asserted that the government is weak and unstable, and would survive only till the Presidential polls.
