After being convicted by the Supreme Court on Tuesday for her involvement in the decade-old disproportionate assets case, in which Tamil Nadu’s recently deceased chief minister J. Jayalalithaa was prime accused, V.K. Sasikala is clearly knocked out of the race to be the state’s CM, that appeared to be her burning ambition. This denouement to the dramatic political goings-on in the southern state is, however, only the proximate outcome of the verdict.
With the late Jayalalithaa’s legacy — that Ms Sasikala, her companion of over a quarter-century, was doing her best to cash in due to the departed CM’s unbelievable popular appeal — coming under a cloud in the context of the Supreme Court judgment, the more lasting impact in Tamil Nadu’s affairs could be the end of the state’s fascination with politicians with a film background.
Death has removed two charismatic former CMs — M.G. Ramachandran or MGR, as the big-ticket actor was called, and his follower and close friend Jayalalithaa, who shone as an actress in her stellar film career. Sheer old age has incapacitated DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi, a stalwart politician and former CM who was once an important screenplay writer.
It is arguable whether these three could have become the politicians they did if it weren’t for their career in films. Given that, Ms Sasikala seeking to capitalise on her association with Jayalalithaa can also be said to have something to do with the film trade indirectly, although well-known figures from Tamil cinema came out opposing her bid to become chief minister.
Tamil Nadu’s politics now has the chance to become more normal instead of being driven by the legendary film frenzy of the people of the state.
The claim of caretaker CM O.P. Panneerselvam, or OPS, to be the state’s full-fledged CM will now rest on the standard template. If there are rivals in the AIADMK legislature party, he will have to compete against them and governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao will have to ensure all norms of fair play and constitutional decorum are adhered to.
Looking at the political field, it’s not unlikely that as she prepares for jail Ms Sasikala will help project one of her followers as chief minister. Edappady K. Palaniswami, one of her loyalists, was elected AIADMK legislature party leader in her place on Tuesday, while OPS was expelled from the party by Ms Sasikala to make things easier for her nominee. However, any association with her risks being negatively perceived. Anyhow, the Supreme Court’s ruling has brought about much-needed clarity to Tamil Nadu’s politics — both immediately and in the long run. With this we hope the phenomenon of leader-worship, that mystifies observers, will also wane. That will be in line with the ethos of democracy.
