The Future of Tamil Nadu
Just when I thought there was a ray of hope for TN and its people, the end of 2017 and Rajini’s proclamation to contest all 234 seats in the TN Legislative Assembly has sent me reeling. The only thing hotter than Trump related discourse right now is TN politics. The whole Tamilian community, both national and international, are sitting on the edge of their seats watching silver screen politics play out before them. It could almost be enjoyable, if it wasn’t for the fact that there is a very big chance everything could go incredibly wrong.
A couple of months ago when Kamal bagged the spotlight for his foray into politics I thought he was the change TN needed. I could almost envision the kind of state TN would be. Politics without caste, a leader with both charisma and policy, and a party that could rival the outdated DMK ideologies. I watched every episode of Bigg Boss, listened to every interview given by Kamal and read every tweet on his eclectic Twitter page. Kamal brought reason and real issues to the political debate and even though he was just an actor, I now saw him only as a politician. Then on NYE, it all came crashing down, in what I think is the worst storm to hit TN.
I am not a fan of Kamal over Rajini. That, that should be a point I need to clarify, highlights the crux of the problem TN faces as a state. Since 1980, film actors have presided as heads of state for longer than pure-bred politicians. Punch lines have taken candidates further than policy, and seasoned politicians have been sidelined by seasoned actors. So when Rajini announced his desire to join in the rat race, I quickly came to the realisation of what would come to pass. From now till the election, rational debate will not take place. It wouldn't matter what Rajini said, what aspirations or ideals he has, what his opponents say about him, or what he plans to do as Chief Minister. Rajini would still win. He would win over AIADMK, he would win over DMK and he would win over Kamal, purely because he is the bigger star.
A couple of months ago when Kamal bagged the spotlight for his foray into politics I thought he was the change TN needed. I could almost envision the kind of state TN would be. Politics without caste, a leader with both charisma and policy, and a party that could rival the outdated DMK ideologies. I watched every episode of Bigg Boss, listened to every interview given by Kamal and read every tweet on his eclectic Twitter page. Kamal brought reason and real issues to the political debate and even though he was just an actor, I now saw him only as a politician. Then on NYE, it all came crashing down, in what I think is the worst storm to hit TN.
I am not a fan of Kamal over Rajini. That, that should be a point I need to clarify, highlights the crux of the problem TN faces as a state. Since 1980, film actors have presided as heads of state for longer than pure-bred politicians. Punch lines have taken candidates further than policy, and seasoned politicians have been sidelined by seasoned actors. So when Rajini announced his desire to join in the rat race, I quickly came to the realisation of what would come to pass. From now till the election, rational debate will not take place. It wouldn't matter what Rajini said, what aspirations or ideals he has, what his opponents say about him, or what he plans to do as Chief Minister. Rajini would still win. He would win over AIADMK, he would win over DMK and he would win over Kamal, purely because he is the bigger star.
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