As his AMMK stakes its claim to Jayalalithaa’s legacy, T.T.V. Dhinakaran might pull off a surprise or two
Black and white flags, with the image of J. Jayalalithaa, line the streets of verdant Ooty. A huge crowd is raising slogans. They are waiting to welcome the new disruptor in Tamil Nadu politics.
A fancy tempo traveller, with speakers on all four sides, zooms in and skids to a halt. A few men in safari suits alight and form a barrier, holding the crowd at bay. The cadres cheer on as T.T.V. Dhinakaran pops up through the hatch on the roof. Thunderous applause follows, and slogans of ‘Makkal Selvar’ (prince of the people) and ‘Dravida Selvar’ (Dravida prince) rent the air.
The adulation makes the 55-year-old's face glow. The founder of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam is clad in a grey shirt with a Chinese collar. “This is not an election just to change the government at the Centre,” he says. “It is [an election] to liberate the people of Tamil Nadu. Vote for my candidates; [our symbol is] gift box.”
While the more powerful DMK and AIADMK have formed alliances for the upcoming elections, the AMMK is fighting alone. It has put up candidates in all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and in all 19 assembly constituencies going for byelections. The polls will be held together, on April 18.
Dhinakaran continues his speech, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for betraying the people of Tamil Nadu, and taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying, “He does not seem like a prime minister candidate. [The alliance with the DMK] was created by M.K. Stalin for political gains.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2019 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2019 من THE WEEK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state