CHENNAI:Gone are the days when young leaders emerged on their own in Tamil Nadu politics with nothing to bank upon save their oratorical and organisational skills. The emerging faces of the Gen-next politicians present an interesting picture. With elections round the corner, sons and daughters of regional satraps are gaining more prominence.
Curiously enough, they are not in the mould of the old guards, who revelled in rhetorical flourish entertaining the audience in a rally or a public meeting. But, according to observers they combine the need for change and continuity without affecting the status quo. There was a time when the youth flocked to either the DMK or AIADMK in droves. But, no more. Not surprisingly, the youth constituency remains the weakest link for parties. Even as there is generational change, the DMK as well as other parties, except the AIADMK, are making it up with dynastic inductions not confined to the top alone.
Assured of their loyalty, the party leadership too is comfortable with them. As the eyes and ears of the party leadership, they remain an organic link between the high command and the local units.
It is election time and here comes the challenge to these young turks—while ensuring a ticket, they are also tasked with micro-management. And in Tamil Nadu, notorious for the ‘Tirumangalam formula’ of M K Alagiri, a euphemism for cash for votes, their task is cut out. Here’s a list of the young turks who are waiting to prove their mettle this election.
CONGRESS
Fourth-Gen Kumaramangalam
Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam, 36, Tamil Nadu
Son of five-time MP Rangarajan Kumaramangalam
Even in the deeply dynastic Grand Old Party of India, it is unusual to have a fourth generation member of a family opting to enter into politics. More so, in the Dravidian land, where the party is fast losing its electoral relevance. But that is exactly what Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam (36) has done by turning against the tide. From being a techie who was educated at the MIT in the US, he is now grassroot functionary of the Congress. His father Rangarajan Kumaramangalam was five-time MP, and a minister in the Vajpayee government after crossing over from the Congress. Grandfather Mohan Kumaramangalam was a minister in Indira Gandhi’s ministry. And his great grandfather Dr Suburayan was a minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. But despite this, the Kumaramangalams do not have a mass base even in their home turf, Salem. According to his supporters, he is all set to contest from Salem this time.
by G Rajashekaran
Like Father, Like Daughter
N Vijayakumari, 26, Puducherry
Daughter of Congress veteran and former Union minister V Narayanasamy
Narayanasamy is categorical about his daughter not entering the poll fray. However, he does not rule out the possibility in future. Within these two statements lie the rumours about the electoral debut of N Vijayakumari, his 26-year-old daughter. Living in Bengaluru after marriage, she made her political foray through the Mahila Congress in Puducherry. Her active participation in agitations and other party programmes is being seen as a spadework to enter the poll arena. What has lent credence to this is the recent plea by the Mahila Congress to provide opportunities for women to contest in the polls. “She is not an aspirant for 2016 assembly elections,” maintains Narayanasamy. However, he does not rule out her contesting elections in the future. But, Vijayakumari shuttling between Bengaluru and Puducherry is not without reason, say party insiders.
by Debjani Dutta
DMK
Son Who is Yet to Rise
Painthamil Paari, 43, Tamil Nadu
Son of DMK leader in Coimbatore and former ministerPongalur N Palanisamy
Paari, the eldest son of Palanisamy, has once again begun the hunt to get a party ticket in this assembly election. In fact, he had been seeking party ticket since 2001—there were three elections each to the Assembly and Lok Sabha since then. Encouraged by his father Palanisamy, he had taken the political plunge about two decades ago. DMK functionaries recall him attending party rallies right from high school days. Yet, despite the long years he had put in politics, Paari has not been able to grow beyond being a councillor of the Municipal Corporation. Now that he had come out of the shadow of his father, Paari, considered close to M K Stalin, is keen on contesting from Singanallur constituency this time. He is a deputy secretary of the youth wing.
by Mannar Mannan
Into the Father’s Shoes
Dr Gouthama Sigamani, 42, Tamil Nadu
Son of former DMK minister K Ponmudi
Like most regional satraps in the DMK, former minister K Ponmudi ensured that one of his two sons entered his shoes. Fulfilling his expectations, his younger son Dr Gouthama Sigamani has emerged as a power centre in Villupuram. Larger than life size banners and cut outs of Ponmudi and his politically ambitious son greet anyone landing in the town. The family is the party, here as well. He launched the now-defunct ‘Thalabathi Narpani Mandram’, the first forum in the state after M K Stalin, a decade ago. Then, he took care of his father’s constituency works, when Ponmudi was Transport minister in the DMK government. Party sources say that he is planning to contest from Villupuram.
by Bagalavan Perier
Bonding of Three Generations
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, 38, Tamil Nadu
Grandson of DMK strongman Anbil Dharmalingam
His late grandfather Anbil Dharmalingam was a DMK strongman and a close associate of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, as was his father Anbil Poyyamozhi with Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin. The dynastic camaraderie has continued to the third generation with the bonding of Udhayanidhi Stalin and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. Though not a popular face in Tiruchy, the techie with an MCA managed to get into the coterie of Udhayanidhi. From running the Udhayanidhi fans club headquartered in Tiruchy, he is now playing a key role in Stalin’s state tour and is the deputy secretary of the party’s youth wing. Sources close to him say he has set his eyes on the Tiruchy West constituency.
by Jeans Collins
Taking the Mantle
I P Senthil Kumar, 39, Tamil Nadu
Son of former minister and Dindigul strongman I Periyasamy
I P Senthil Kumar is the youngest district secretary in the DMK. He was catapulted to that post two years ago. His closeness to the party’s heir apparent M K Stalin saw him become the state deputy organiser of the DMK Youth Wing even earlier. Though a lawyer, he is not known much in professional circles but was managing the two textile mills of his family before entering into politics. Slowly but steadily, Senthil has taken over the mantle. Groomed by his father Periyasamy, he was spotted by Stalin for his organisational skills and managing election campaigns. Yet, he was careful enough not to get into controversies or ruffle feathers with local heavyweights like R Chakkraani, DMK whip in the Assembly and Dindigul (West) district secretary. While his father is all set to contest from Athoor, he wants to wrest the Palani assembly segment from the AIADMK.
by S Raja
