Political titans all set to clash in New Year

While frequent cabinet shuffles became commonplace in 2015, a private bill concerning transgenders created history.

It should come as no surprise to any political observer that 2015 was a most eventful year, with the crests and troughs sparing not just parties, but also people. It was the first time after centuries that the vaadivasal (the jallikattu arena) looked deserted without raging bulls and adrenaline-pumped men trying to tame them. 

It was indeed a low-key Pongal for Tamil Nadu, especially the southern districts. But after a promise from the Centre, jallikattu enthusiasts are now going ahead with training sessions for the event that they are confident will be held during Pongal 2016. 

It will be a surprise to recall that the year 2015 started in the absence of J Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister of TN.  The Srirangam constituency was won by S Valarmathi, who bettered Jayalalithaa’s victory margin by more a 1.5 lakh vote difference. Frequent cabinet shuffles were common this year. 

Though a few like Gokula Indra, Vijay and Sivapathi lost their clout in 2015, Gokula Indra was inducted back into the cabinet. The suicide of an agriculture official created a huge setback for the government which was followed by the sacking of the then agriculture minister ‘Agri’ Krishnamurthy. 

DMK MP Trichy Siva created history when his private bill on transgenders was passed in the Parliament. The leader of the opposition in the TN assembly, Vijayakanth, surprised many in political circles by heading an all-party delegation to meet the PM to raise issues concerning the state.  But his vitriolic outburst at the press conference which followed was more talked about than the meeting. 

Jayalalithaa’s acquittal in the disproportionate assets case rung bells in both AIADMK and DMK camps, giving one a reason to celebrate while the other, to be cautious. She was acquitted by Justice Kumarasamy of the Karnataka high court.   Meanwhile, political observers are keenly looking forward to 2016 as the judgment is to be delivered by the Supreme Court of India. 

Subsequently, Jayalalithaa won the by election in RK Nagar and become CM for the fifth time. The prohibition issue dominated TN politics in 2015. When activist and Gandhian Sasiperumal lost his life in an agitation at Unnamalai in Kanyakumari district, the issue garnered utmost attention from all political parties. 

Heavy rain in December flooded the state capital and three nearby districts with water and politics. DMK scion Mr Stalin conducted a public outreach programme, Namakku Naame, meeting scores of people across the state. 

This elevated the morale of the party cadres and geared them up for the 2016 polls. The Left initiated the People’s Welfare Front (PWF), roping in MDMK and VCK. Earlier the front was volatile, with Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leaving it doubting its success rate soon after its formation. But the alliance is now striving hard to rope in Vijayakanth. 

Meanwhile ‘Captain’ maintains his cool to bargain hard and leaves parties guessing, playing his cards close to the chest.  The PMK was the first to announce its CM candidate for the 2016 elections. Senior and Junior Dr Ramadoss are sincerely trying to project themselves as the alternative to Dravidian parties. The BJP never felt tired of calling PMK and DMDK its allies despite this not being endorsed by both parties. 

Meanwhile, there is a stoic silence in TMC leader Mr GK Vasan’s camp which is busy devising a strategy for the 2016 assembly elections. Arguably, the first quarter of 2016 is slated to be more politically charged than the entire 2015.