CHENNAI: Crushed in the 2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and the subsequent 2016 polls, the DMK was mauled by the taint of the Rs 1.76 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam, almost making it a political untouchable. That phase appears to be over.
Political observers see in the acquittal of all accused, including Kanimozhi, a possible turnaround in the fortunes of the DMK.
According to Ramu Manivannan, Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Madras University, “The verdict provides a new turnaround for DMK, which suffered a huge setback in 2011 Assembly polls and lost the subsequent elections. Moreover, the verdict liberates the party politically and technically because their political fortunes were down and they had to technically explain to the public the nature of the case,” he told Express.
Retired IAS officer and a political commentator M G Devasahayam said, “The judgment will have much impact on Tamil Nadu politics as much as on DMK. It puts DMK and Congress in an advantageous position. But it is disadvantageous to BJP and AIADMK.”
The BJP and AIADMK had won elections at the national and State level by capitalising on the 2G scam, but now the court has exonerated all the accused, he pointed out. “However, the merits and demerits of the case have to be seen in High Court and Supreme Court.”
Venkatesh Athreya, a well-known political and economic analyst, said: “The judgment will be a big boost to DMK.” It has to be seen whether the party would be able to reap benefits in the long run, he added.
Observers see little chance for political realignment at present, but it could happen in future. “There are very little chances for a political realignment. But DMK will continue to oppose BJP in Tamil Nadu while adopting a soft stand at the national level,” Manivannan said.