© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
After several twists and turns, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) of Tamil Nadu has finally decided to go with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Before it finally made its call, the PMK had vacillated between party founder S Ramadoss, who preferred the AIADMK, and son Anbumani Ramadoss, who leaned towards the BJP. The AIADMK ended its alliance with the BJP some months ago.
The indecision of the PMK, dragging out the alliance talks, had also become a subject of much ridicule on social media. A top BJP leader told The Indian Express as recently as three days ago: “We are tired, let them come or go.”
Sources said that the stumbling block for the AIADMK was the PMK’s demand for 7 seats (out of the state’s 39), seen as unrealistic. The PMK base is largely confined to the OBC Vanniyar community, concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu.
The BJP, whose footprint in Tamil Nadu remains small, reportedly clinched the deal offering the PMK 10 seats. Top PMK sources claimed they have also extracted a promise of a Cabinet post from the BJP, reportedly for Anbumani, who used to be Union health minister under the UPA, if he wins, most likely from the Dharmapuri constituency.
The combined offer ultimately overrode the objections of PMK cadres, many of whom were initially in favour of sticking to the AIADMK, given the uncertainty over the BJP’s prospects in Tamil Nadu.
On Tuesday, both Ramadoss and Anbumani, who is the PMK president, shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Salem.
Incidentally, Anbumani has a long-pending corruption case against him, being investigated by the CBI, with the PMK leader accused of “illegally” allowing an Indore-based medical college to continue making admissions, despite the Medical Council of India and a committee appointed by the Supreme Court recommending against it.
A top RSS leader from Coimbatore said the BJP has also promised the PMK generous help with its considerable resources. “Delhi was initially against the PMK’s demands… But ultimately, the chance to have an ally in northern Tamil Nadu outweighed other concerns,” the Sangh leader said, adding that the state BJP pushed for a tie-up.
The BJP is a marginal presence in northern Tamil Nadu, and hence it is easy for the party to spare 10 seats for the PMK. “We have influence in south and west Tamil Nadu, besides allies such as T T V Dhinakaran of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and John Pandian of the Tamil Nadu Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK). The northern region remained a question and we have a good partner there now,” a senior BJP leader said.
Besides the northern seats, the PMK could help the BJP make gains in Dindigul in the south and Mayiladuthurai in the state’s delta region. Sources said the PMK may press additionally for a seat in the Chennai urban region.
Other than the PMK, the BJP has tied up with the AMMK, which also guarantees it the support of ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam; Puthiya Neethi Katchi; Puthiya Tamilagam; G K Vasan’s Tamil Maanila Congress; TMMK; and Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi in Tamil Nadu. The party is also in talks with the DMDK of the late Vijayakanth.
The PMK, AMMK and DMDK are all parties with significant vote shares.
On Ramadoss preferring the AIADMK as an ally, a source said: “Many cadres were unhappy about tying up with the DMK, one-two PMK MLAs (out of its 5) also strongly expressed their displeasure. Their argument was that a tie-up with the DMK or the AIADMK was a better guarantee of a win in the state, and that any offer from the NDA might end with the results come D-day.”
Ramadoss established the PMK in 1989, the party originating from the Vanniyar Sangam group, which gained prominence courtesy its aggressive protests demanding reservation for the OBC group. Finally, the Vanniyars managed to get reservation as a Most Backward Class, who are entitled to a 20% quota in educational institutions and government jobs.
However, despite the backing of the strong Vanniyar community, which is often involved in caste riots in the state, the PMK’s success in elections has been mixed. Its fluctuating alliances – including with both the DMK and AIADMK, and the BJP now – and its perceived anti-Dalit stance on account of involvement of Vanniyar members in caste violence, have all held back the party’s growth in the state.
Now, as Ramadoss ages, the onus is on Anbumani to live up to his promise – repeated several times – that he aims to broaden the PMK’s appeal beyond its caste-based roots.
Meanwhile, there is growing buzz that a third Ramadoss family member might be about to enter the poll race: Dr Suganthan, the son of Ramadoss’s elder daughter Gandhi.
