Will these young leaders turn over a new leaf?

I am not sure if there is a ‘fatigue theory’ in political science. If there isn’t, they should include this one formulated by Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin. Here it goes: When unsure about taking a decision, spread the rumour that you are going to take that decision, read the public and media reaction, remain undecided, float the word that the decision is imminent, listen to the debate, hold back the decision, get people of importance to reiterate the rumour (which, by now, is no longer a rumour), see if people have developed a fatigue for the ‘news’ and, when they are  no longer bothered to hail or harangue, announce the decision! Presto, Udhayanidhi Stalin is our deputy chief minister!

The promotion, an inevitable progression in the politics of inheritance, was only a matter of time. Stalin had two choices: One, after the 2026 assembly election; two, a year before the polls. He chose the second. Stalin understands the importance of 2026 when actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam will be making its electoral entry. If he is wise enough to go it alone in the debut, Vijay may not emerge victorious, but he may trigger some political reconfigurations in the process of ascertaining his true strength and probable allies for the next time. When this happens, Stalin must retain the DMK mantle; Udhayanidhi’s ultimate coronation can happen after ensuring the party returns to power.

And once that happens, Tamil Nadu’s political leadership will look young again. Except for AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, 70 now, at least major party leaders will be in their 40s and early 50s – and that’s young in politics. Udhayanidhi is now 46, Vijay is 50, PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss is 55, and BJP state president K Annamalai, the youngest, is 40. The state’s political landscape has been for decades dominated by seniors who, incidentally, took the mantle when they were in their forties (K Kamaraj became chief minister at 49 (1954), M Karunanidhi at 49 (1969) and J Jayalalithaa at 43 (1991). The cycle of politics is truly turning.

Will tomorrow’s leaders bring in some fresh air in politics? Let’s not expect radical changes in the political philosophies of DMK or BJP, but here’s an opportunity for the new leaders to change the way they conduct their politics. It’s here that Vijay, the fresher with no baggage, can play the catalyst. Their ideologies – or whatever the vestiges of it remain – will continue to clash, they will remain at loggerheads over policies and elections will be fiercely fought, yet they can bring down, if not remove, bitterness and blood on the streets. This is possible if the young brigade employs a cerebral approach to ideological interpretations (the noisy brawl over Sanatana dharma was a classic example of how not to debate), a transparent method of analysing policies (the national and state education policies, for one) and a willingness to engage with divergent opinions in a civil way.

The factors that brought Udhayanidhi, Vijay and Annamalai into politics are markedly different. Annamalai left a promising career in IPS to be here. Vijay can also claim to have answered a calling by leaving a highly lucrative acting career to take the plunge into public life, but unlike Annamalai, he is trying to convert his personal fanbase into a political cadre base. Udhayanidhi, like Anbumani, was born into a political family.

In terms of political experience, Udhayanidhi and Annamalai aren’t that different – and they have proved to be quick learners. Vijay is a greenhorn whose political acumen we are yet to see. For the trio, the relative inexperience should be an opportunity, not a handicap, to ring in change.

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