Updated: December 20, 2020 4:58:55 pm
Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan. (File photo)
With the elections for the assembly only a few months away, all the political parties in Tamil Nadu are preparing to attract voters with various plans and promises. However, as in previous elections, the ‘MGR successor card’ is likely to be the dominant theme in these elections as well.
The AIADMK, under the leadership of J Jayalalithaa, used to capitalize on the popularity of its founder and former Prime Minister MG Ramachandran. But new political teams recently launched by superstars are also trying to appropriate the legacy of Ramachandaran, the state’s charismatic chief minister.
In 2005, when actor Vijayakanth launched his party, Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), he compared himself to MGR on numerous occasions. His paintings projected him as the “Black MGR”, prompting criticism from the AIADMK. Now, after 15 years, the battle for MGR’s legacy is resurrected with actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan entering politics.
Political leader MG Ramachandran. Express file photo
In 2018, while unveiling a statue of MGR at the premises of the ACS Medical College and Hospital, Rajinikanth had said that he wanted to revive the MGR government. Praising MGR, Rajinikanth said that there will never be anyone like him in the next 1,000 years.
“Not everyone can become an MGR. MGR is a Yuga Purushan. If someone says they want to become the next MGR, there can’t be a bigger fool than him. But I have faith that I can provide the MGR rule that worked for the poor, the downtrodden, and the middle class. With the blessing of the people, with the support of the young, using the help of technology, resourceful people and intellectuals, I can provide that rule, ”Rajinikanth had said.
During the Lok Sabha election campaign in 2019, Kamal Haasan highlighted various issues such as unemployment, corruption, gender inequality and promised to address those issues if his party’s candidates are elected. There was hardly any reference to former leaders in his campaign. However, this time the actor invoked “MGR.”
During his four-day campaign in various districts, including Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Haasan said that he will carry forward MGR’s dream by making Madurai the second capital of Tamil Nadu. On another occasion, Haasan said that MGR belonged to the people of Tamil Nadu and not just one party. “MGR was not“ DMK Thilagam ”when he was at that party, he was not called“ ADMK Thilagam ”when he launched his own party, he is always“ Makkal Thilagam ”. People who have not seen MGR’s face, remember, I had grown up in his lap, ”Haasan said.
In reaction to these comments, the AIADMK pounced on Haasan. The Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, criticized the reality show Big Boss (hosted by Kamal Haasan), saying that if children and families watch those shows, they will be spoiled. He further added that Haasan has done nothing for the welfare of the state and there has not been a constructive song in his films to compare him to MGR. “He (Kamal Haasan) has no individual popularity and therefore he is using MGR’s popularity. Both MGR and Jayalalithaa left no heirs, AIADMK and the people of Tamil Nadu are their true heirs. Our party is following the path laid out by our great leaders, ”Edappadi added.
Namadhu Amma, a spokesman for the ruling party, launched a scathing attack on Haasan and Rajinikanth claiming that they are using MGR’s popularity for political gain.
The party said that Rajinikanth, Haasan and half a dozen people who want to use MGR’s fame for their political achievements can join AIADMK as core members and spread the ideology of Puratchi Thalaivar. The party further added that using MGR’s fame for political survival is akin to perpetrating fraud and using the neighbor’s name instead of the father, ”the party said.
Political analyst Venkatesh said the parties, in addition to DMK, are trying to cash in on MGR’s popularity. “Even today people remember MGR for its generous nature. So many people had benefited from him and his welfare plans and, to show their loyalty, they had always voted for the party that intends to carry his legacy forward. Vijayakanth projected it as the next MGR. From 2006 to 2011, he made people believe that he was the alternative and his percentage of the votes was very good before the 2011 assembly elections.
However, after he made the alliance pact with AIADMK, Venkatesh said, his share of the vote dropped because the section of people who believed he was the next MGR voted for his alliance partner AIADMK. “So in the next election, be it Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan, whoever is using MGR’s popularity should always present themselves as an alternative to have a chance to attract that loyal MGR share of votes, if they make an alliance with other parties, then they will gradually lose their voting quota.
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