Stalin’s co-operative approach shows new face of Tamil Nadu politics

On Wednesday, Jayalalithaa and Stalin surprised onlookers yet again by greeting each other in the well of the House. When Jayalalithaa took her seat after accepting the applause of the party legislators, Stalin acknowledged CM’s arrival by greeting her from his LoP’s seat. Even the life size podium kept in between them in the aisle was no deterrent to Jayalalithaa who reciprocated with a smile, folded hands and mumbled, “vanakkam”, as both party MLAs and a few officials with a ringside view of the ‘exchange’ watched in amazement. If the incidents in the last few days, especially actions of Stalin are an indication, even a few DMK legislators concurred Wednesday’s may not be the last. The two parties will be trading charges on the floor in the days to come, but DMK insiders admitted that the LoP was for maintaining a healthy working relationship with the ruling party.

“Even after tsunami, he (Stalin) fixed appointment and personally met Jayalalithaa in the Secretariat and handed over the relief cheque. He is not the kind of person who likes to maintain a confrontational approach. He smiles when people look at him, like he did today. You must have observed him during Namakku Naamey. You will see more of thalapathi in the Assembly,” said a DMK MLA close to the LoP-elect.

Going by his reactions in the last few days, Stalin’s new found benevolence towards the treasury benches cannot be easily dismissed as premature. It may appear to be image-building, but Stalin conscientiously avoided being reactionary when he was seated on the 13th row at Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, which, Karunanidhi dubbed as an insult. In fact, the DMK treasurer has mildly appreciated CM’s thanking letter. In hindsight, Stalin’s gestures might look civil, but, in actuality, it’s the calm before the storm. “People have not seen a strong LoP for ten years. Thalapathi will be at his harsh best. The current image building will help when we go all guns blazing later. People will see when the House gets convened.”