Launching of a political outfit is not a child’s play; the launch of a political party announces the arrival of a new leader with fresh force and new ideologies. It takes months, if not years, to shape up the principles upon which a political outfit can be built. The launch sends messages to the common man as well as the players already in the arena. The common man is curious what this new outfit is about to deliver, whereas the existing parties keep a close watch of the party to plan their future course with it. In Tamil Nadu, all of a sudden three political parties have been launched in less than three months. Aspiring politicians Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and TTV Dhinakaran have launched their parties. (Though not a full-fledged party, Rajinikanth’s Rajini Makkal Mandram deserves to be called as one).
It all began with the much expected announcement of Rajinikanth’s entry into politics on New Year’s Eve. The thespian who had been evasive about his political plunge for long finally roared it out with a ‘Yes, now.’ Rajinikanth’s long time friend and veteran actor Kamal Haasan too jumped into the fray, soon. While Rajinikanth was busy preparing for the formal commencement of his party, Kamal Haasan was quick to launch his outfit, Makkal Needhi Mayyam (MNM), in the last week of February. It was sidelined AIAIDMK leader TTV Dhinakarn’s turn to float his outfit on 15th March. His Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) is the newest of new political parties in Tamil Nadu.
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Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are criticised for choosing politics at the fag end of their acting careers. Political observers point out that these actors are able to come out in the open only after the death of Jayalalitha, the former chief minister. Rajinikanth seems to be a reluctant politician as he tries to evade questions on the State’s persisting issues. Kamal Haasan too isn’t clear about his ideological leanings and work-plans for the State’s future. More importantly both these actors are yet to face an election.
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TTV Dhinakaran is the MLA of RK Nagar constituency in Chennai, which was left vacant following the demise of Jayalalitha. Dhinakaran won a bitterly fought by-election surging ahead of veterans AIADMK and DMK. The Sasikala clan failed miserably in keeping the AIADMK in their hold after Jayalalitha’s departure. With Sasikala languishing in prison Dhinakaran is her only hope to keep their political ambitions alive. Dhinakaran’s ultimate aim would be capturing the AIADMK and it seems that the AMMK is only a stopgap arrangement to keep the Sasikala loyalists within the fold. The launch of political parties in quick succession is a grand spectacle in political arena. Whether it is politics for self-serving goals or as post-career activity, these leaders have taken the plunge. For these ambitious, aspiring and tall talking people elections will be the testing ground where they will have to prove their worth as political leaders.
Read Also: Beyond Rajinikanth And Kamal Haasan: The Next Generation Leaders Of Tamil Nadu
