CHENNAI: In the wake of superstar Rajinikanth indicating his plans to enter politics, DMK working president M K Stalin — waiting forever for a shot at power — appears to be keen on firming up a grand opposition alliance in Tamil Nadu.
The 94th birthday of his father and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on June 3 could serve as a suitable occasion to showcase opposition unity, shades of which were visible in an all-party meeting chaired by him on April 16. On that day, he managed to bring both the CPI and CPM, as also the VCK under the umbrella of opposition unity to articulate the issue of farmers and the unprecedented drought. Subsequently, they observed a one-day State-wide bandh on the issue.
To keep the Left in good humour, Stalin then trained his guns on the BJP over certain issues concerning the State.
Rajinikanth’s call last week to fans to be prepared for war injected a new element in the political landscape, which could prod Stalin to hasten the consolidation of opposition parties. “Given the political flux, the time is right to firm up our alliance with the other parties, including the Left and VCK. The presence of national leaders of the Left will serve the purpose well,” a senior party leader suggested.
The birthday bash is also expected to send a strong message about a joint opposition strategy to take on the BJP at the national level ahead of the crucial Presidential polls, he added.
For Stalin, the chief minister’s chair has remained elusive. He thought of inheriting it from his father when the party came to power in 2006, but had to be content with the post of deputy chief minister. Ahead of the 2016 Assembly polls, he led his party’s campaign and did a road show. The slogging gave the party 89 seats, but not power.
When the ruling AIADMK was locked in a factional fight after O Panneerselvam’s revolt following J Jayalalithaa’s death, Stalin hoped for a windfall but it never happened.He now faces the challenge of convincing the voters that he has what it takes to fight the AIADMK and the BJP.
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The 94th birthday of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi falls on June 3