CHENNAI: Come elections, caste-based political leaders go hyperactive, backing a particular party or a front, creating a heady cocktail of caste and politics in the State.
For example, the Vanniyar Sangam, a caste outfit that aimed to lobby for the community in the northern and parts of the western districts of Tamil Nadu, later became a full-fledged political party called the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) with its founder leader S Ramadoss aligning with major parties like the DMK or the AIADMK in the State. The PMK in now with the AIADMK.
In the opposite camp is another Vanniyar leader Jagathratchagan. A former MP, he is the founder president of Jananayaga Munnetra Kazhagam and the leader of Veera Vanniyar Peravai. On Sunday, Jagathratchagan joined the DMK.
Dr Sethuraman of Moovendhar Munnetra Peravai has always supported the AIADMK because of its leanings towards the Thevars after a caste conflict in Kodiyankulam village, bordering Tirunelveli district, in the mid 90s. Kodiyankulam was the flashpoint in Tamil Nadu politics when the Dalits and the Thevars clashed for their rights.
Ever since, Dalits were seen as anti-AIADMK. Several Dalit outfits - Thirumavalavan’s VCK, Dr K Krishnasamy’s Puthiya Tamilagam, S K Tamilarasan’s Republican Party of India and Valasai Ravichandran’s Arunthathi Makkal Katchi are with the DMK.
Tamil Nadu Barghava Kula Sangam leader Kovai Thambi, representing the Udayar and Moopanar community in the State, would be ready to back a party that worked for the welfare of their members.
New Justice Party leader A C Shanmugham, a famous educationist, representing the Mudaliar community, would extend support to the DMK as the community members allegedly got a raw deal during the previous AIADMK regime.
Kongu Mandala Munnetra Peravai general secretary Easwaran, representing the Gounders in the State, would be willing to support a party that promises to help the community. Tamil Nadu Nadar Peravai leader N R Dhanapalan wanted to back the DMK provided it allowed toddy tapping.
The potter community represented by Sema Narayanan, president of Tamil Nadu Pottery Workers (Kulala) Association and the Tamil Nadu Yadava Mahasabha represented by its State president M Gopalakrishan, ex-CMD of Indian Bank have decided to back the DMK.