LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
nlike in 2019, Tamil Nadu, in 2024, seems poised for a threecornered contest, with the ruling DMKled front remaining cohesive, the BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) roping in one more party, i.e., the PMK, and the AIADMK being left with smaller organisations. The DMK leadership has retained all its allies, accommodating them in the best possible way. Of 39 seats in the State, the DMK will be trying its luck in 22 constituencies, after taking into account one seat allotted to the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi and contesting under the DMK’s ‘rising sun’ symbol. As in the past, the Congress has 10 seats, including Puducherry, and the two Left parties two each. The MNM, headed by veteran actor Kamal Haasan, is a recent addition to the DMK’s coalition — the party could not be allotted even a single constituency this time but has been assured a Rajya Sabha seat. Mr. Haasan has done the right thing perhaps realising that it would be next to impossible to stay afloat without the backing of either of the two principal Dravidian parties.
Other than the DMDK, the AIADMK does not have any ally to contribute to its vote base even minimally. Six months ago, it left the NDA over differences with the BJP’s State leadership, especially its president K. Annamalai, who criticised former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and Jayalalithaa. Though there have been reports that the BJP’s national leadership is for joining hands with the AIADMK — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been making laudatory references to Jayalalithaa — the AIADMK’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is firm in his resolve not to have any truck with the BJP. Consequently, many parties (such as the TMC (Moopanar) and the PMK), which were with the AIADMK in 2019, have veered towards the BJP, possibly sensing the advantage of allying with a national party. The AIADMK’s breakaway group, led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and the AMMK of T.T.V. Dhinakaran are a part of the NDA. Contrary to what Mr. Palaniswami might have visualised, after declaring that he would form a “mega alliance”, there has been no migration from the DMKled front. Whether his conciliatory moves towards religious minorities will have an effect remains to be seen given that they are perceived to be the DMK’s supporters. Mr. Annamalai’s highdecibel campaigning over 36 months and frequent visits by the BJP’s senior leaders, including Mr. Modi, have given the party greater visibility, but the moot question is whether this will translate into votes, or even significant seat wins. The AIADMK remains the principal Opposition party. Ordinarily, the arithmetic in Tamil Nadu politics is a lead factor, but there is no indication so far that the election results will be dramatically different from what they were in 2019, even if the DMK has had to deal with antiincumbency.
UBonds and goal
If the avowed objective of the Electoral Bond Scheme was to eliminate black money from politics, it fell like ninepins when it is now known that many of the purchasers bought bonds that seem to be disproportionate to their business income (Editorial page, March 21).
The Supreme Court of Indiamandated disclosures show that several purchasers may have been forced to purchase bonds when they were armtwisted or about to be armtwisted by the central agencies — a classic case of political skulduggery, deception and corruption. If political parties are not bound to disclose the names of those who are associated with the bonds, a levelplayingfield is denied to the donors. We, the people, genuinely
“crave for political parties with a difference”.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath, Aranmula, Kerala
The Vechur cow
In the article on the conservation of the Vechur cow (Editorial page, March 20), one cannot ‘blanket blame’ crossbreeding as the culprit, as during the 1960s and 1970s, the nation’s priorities were rightly focused on selfsufficiency and nutritional requirements to feed a burgeoning population. It was the lack of appreciation of indigenous breeds and indiscriminate crossbreeding that has led to the present need for a revival of local breeds.
Dr. R. Unnikrishnan, Cherthala, Kerala
‘Shakti’ remark
The top leader has focused on one word, ‘shakti’, that the Congress’s Rahul Gandhi used in his speech recently, which has caused ‘controversy’. The leader could not have been unaware that his principal political opponent used the word in its mundane sense of ‘power’. He vowed to fight that power represented by the top leader. He did not use it to mean ‘divine power’ or ‘female deity’ or ‘women’s power’. Mr. Gandhi’s clarification has fallen on deaf ears. It is a fact that large sections of the media kowtow to ‘that power’ and fall in its orbit.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
The comment by Mr. Gandhi on ‘shakti’ is unwarranted and unfortunate. ‘Shakti’ is a word that needs to be used with caution and respect.
A.J. Rangarajan,
Chennai
Player’s return
Rishabh Pant’s muchawaited return to cricket is nothing short of miraculous. His fortitude and determination are praiseworthy, and inspire us to rise above challenges. Anusha Pillay,
Raipur, Chhattisgarh