Tamil Nadu has got a new Government. It is commendable that DMK won a major victory without serious anti-incumbency factor against the previous government. In Tamil Nadu, the formation of coalition is one factor which plays an important role. Stalin is a fighter who has fought several battles in the last decade and proved himself in 2019 Lok Sabha election, but with this victory he has consolidated his leadership. He earned his victory on the face of several criticisms on both the selection of IPAC and coalition partners, and both paid off. He has carried his alliance partners also with him. DMK has always adapted to the economic and political needs of being in Government, whether it was the first time when it was formed under Anna Durai or the next time, when it was re- established under Kalaigner. They have all been good administrators also, unlike, I would say like the models of Kejriwals who started as protesters but continued as confrontationists even after becoming a CM. Now Stalin has got a chance to establish his brand of administration and people are looking for his style.

Leadership Issue

Stalin of course had the strong support of his party and now the people have reposed faith in his leadership. But this election has not indicated the future line of leadership for the party. I am sure he will not try to foist Udhayanidhi as this might lead to a lot of dissension. Leadership has to be a natural process, rather than being anointed. Similarly, this election has established EPS as the leader. But, both DMK and AIADMK are yet to go through the churn for a future leader to emerge. This is always an excruciating process like the metamorphosis of butterflies which the agony Congress is going through but is unable to resolve it.

Open Minded Approach   

Tamil Nadu has had the longest stint of strong regimes under its two leading charismatic leaders. The side effects have been a strong Chinese wall between the two parties which cultivates a strong sense of loyalties for the leaders, but often translates into acrimonious debates and vindictive actions. In Karnataka, or in any state it is not unusual for the CM and leader of the opposition to attend marriages or any function at the same time and dine together. They strictly speak of no politics in personal functions. These are forbidden in Tamil Nadu. Party men from the two parties cannot be seen together. There were signs of change already under EPS who has tried to bring down the temperature and he conducted the Assembly in a collegial way. I am sure Stalin will go the extra mile and establish a relationship with opposition leaders, like Periyar and Rajaji maintained. I am even sure that the party men in both parties should be longing for this. This regimented divide helped in avoiding defections, but resulted in a huge ecosystem of fringe parties, fixers, and even bureaucracy whose survival depended on deepening this wedge.

Sadly, though there are these two leading regional parties with acrimonious relationships, they share almost similar approaches on most of the issues. Both have faced allegations of corruption. The party men differed only on the loyalty factor, DMK men being loyal to Kalaignar, and AIADMK men to MGR and Madame Jayalalitha. That is why the state as such does not expect much change in the policies of the Government. The ruling party will slowly start adapting to the realities and veering towards the policies of a dethroned government.

I had once written that bureaucracy wilt under strong regional leadership, whereas it gets strengthened under CMs whose survival depends on performance. Tamil Nadu has had a long stint of both ruling and opposition parties headed by strong charismatic leaders. In this form of regimes, it is very difficult for bureaucrats to remain non-aligned. In the present circumstance, both parties are fighting without the charismatic leaders of the past. The previous Government led by EPS tried to prove itself with performance. The bureaucracy in Tamil Nadu should now try to renew its name for being a steel frame. It is obviously answerable to the ruling party, but should try to re-establish its neutrality. The bureaucracy, especially the police, has lost its neutrality and it should seek to reinvent itself. So far, the ruling party has made the right moves in terms of posting of officers.

Renounce Negativism

Somehow Tamil Nadu has been fed a rich diet of negativism. Unfortunately, this negativism is spreading to areas of competition, economic development, and private enterprise. It is important this government takes steps to dilute these negative perceptions and revisit policies about NEET, Infrastructure, Industries, etc.  Students from Tamil Nadu have shown they can face competition. The previous DMK governments have never shied away from promoting infrastructure and industry, and Late Thiru Murasoli Maran was driving these at the Centre. After all, we do have fully homegrown industrialists like TVS, Sun, Murugapa Group, Indian Bank and we are home to several multinationals now. Our people are dominant in the Silicon Valley, New York etc, and why should we encourage this complex in our students. The air of negativism should go and the Government needs to travel the extra mile to communicate to the outside world. The previous government pursued the policy of attracting firms from China and Far East and this Government should vigorously promote it. The leaders have to refrain from demonizing industries and investors.  

Reflection and Renewal

After the elections, I am sure the Chief Minister would have reflected deeply on various aspects. He would have also come to some conclusions. Now that he will be sitting on the throne, he has a chance to show his openness and magnanimity. He should set an agenda for the next generation, and a path for his party and Government. We have already passed two decades of the 21st century. Every decade of this century is equivalent to the passing of one century of the past. DMK has won the election with 20^th century policies, and the younger generation is looking for vision for the next thirty years.  Will he do it?

 

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