A State Without Opposition Party

Muslim Murasu, December 2011

Tamil society has been held under the grip of political schism for the past forty years. Regional party came to power in Tamilnadu in 1967 after defeating the mammoth Congress by a margin of 1 percent additional votes.
It was a time when speeches on dais went on for hours together with adequate mix of excitement, heroism and entertainment. We did not have 24 hours TV channels in 1965. So-much-rice-a-rupee politics was vindicated. Tamilians never cared about election promises. They don’t concern themselves with investigation, analysis or criticism.
Assembly sessions became witness to unashamedly sycophant speeches comparing leaders with God, causing bedlam in the House and inviting to be expelled in groups by police, distracting and diverting the discussion into sidetracks. Tamilians got fed up of this. They did not feel proud about these trends. They dissented and ignored the House. This was reflected in the mood around shifting the Assembly to new place. No one is expecting any huge change even if Assembly is shifted near Koyambedu market.
A toilet in the central location in the capital city of Tamilnadu was useful to people. It was razed down to make way for a subway beneath and on top a statue of a political leader. This did not represent the voice of the people.
Marina was world’s second most beautiful beach. Lining it up with 21 statues and two tombs testifies the autocratic attitude of politicians. Peaceful zone in Kodambakkam was ruined with dumping garbage. Valluvar Kottam has changed into a consumerist exhibition market.
Dense tree cover and a children theater in Government Estate was a result of far-sightedness of national administrators. There will be a library adjacent to it, an information center. Good, descent and informative films were promised for school children for a ticket price of 12 paisa. It was brought down due to grudge of politicians. Education zone in Guindy, Adayar is now invaded with memorial.
There is no strong opposition party in Tamilnadu to take forward issues concerning Mullaiperiyar, Cauvery water share, Yalpanam massacre or autonomy for state. Politicians banking on stooges, posh vehicles, palatial buildings, cinema background and stage histrionics cannot rise to the status of opposition party. Need of the hour is for an honest opposition party.