Dravidian politics in TN on its last legs? EVR aka Periyar?s grandson joins BJP as DMK sacks its sitting MLA for praising PM Modi

Two things in Tamil Nadu have attracted the attention of many. After the Skanda Sashti Kavasam row, people who believed in god started deserting DMK. Many among them joined the BJP. Among those who joined BJP was Hinduphobic EV Ramaswamy Naicker aka Periyar’s grandson. Further, the DMK itself sacked its sitting MLA Ku Ka Selvam who last week met PM Modi and praised him. It is rumoured that he might join the BJP as well.

EV Ramaswamy’s grandson Sathish Krishna left AIADMK and joined BJP on 12th in Kumbakonam demolishing the claim of DK, DMK and left that BJP would not bloom in Periyar’s soil. Sathish Krishna said his grandmother and Periyar’s mother were sisters (born to the same mother). BJP hailed his induction in the party and it hoped that it would attract many more who are disillusioned with both the DMK and AIADMK. Impressed with PM Modi’s leadership, several functionaries of DMDK, DMK and other political parties joined the BJP earlier this month.

After the change of guard in the state, things are moving fast and in the positive direction for the BJP. Recently, the party inducted many cine stars and leaders who joined after leaving the DMK. DMK’s sitting MLA Ku Ka Selvam, who is considered to be close to Stalin, had openly praised PM Modi and BJP. The MLA, who has been placed under suspension, was fired from the party on 13th August for ‘anti-party activities’. He would be considered an unattached MLA in the assembly. He said more MLAs and district presidents would cross over to BJP soon.

Entire village joins BJP

Close on the heels of Skanda Sashti Kavasam obscene videos and DMK’s silence over it, an entire village with over 150 residents from 70 families in Vadugapatti near Modakurichi (Erode district) joined BJP on 5th August. Prior to the event, all recited Skanda Sashti kavasam and performed special poojas at a temple. Citing the same reason, a large number of DMK cadres including its youth wing and vice president from Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency where Kanimozi won, joined BJP.

All the above happenings augur well for the BJP which is determined to use the changing scenario in its favour. According to party’s Vice president VP Duraisamy (former Dy Speaker joined BJP from DMK recently) that it was the DMK versus the AIADMK until last week. He said that now with DMK MLA Ku Ka Selvam joining BJP, it is now BJP versus the DMK. “We (BJP) will lead the alliance. We are a national party”, says Duraisamy confidently. But AIADMK brushed aside his remarks saying BJP’s senior leaders did not say so.

The Hindu and saffron phobia, which is actively being followed in Tamil Nadu, has left people in a bind. The Dravidian parties, the Left parties, Muslim, Christian outfits claimed that TN is the soil of Periyar aka EV Ramasamy and parties with Hindutva can’t be allowed to set its foot here. Almost every print, visual and social media, worked overtime to spread fake news of their masters against BJP, RSS and PM Modi, day in and day out. A nonchalant BJP and common people in the state had given them a free run. But things have started to turn in favour of BJP which is now reckoned as the only party that would protect the interests of Hindus and arrest the onslaught of Dravidianism against Hindu faith and traditions.

DMK has been at the receiving end ever since the Murasoli’s building document was made public by BJP. Further, its nexus with Pakistan outfits during the Anti-CAA protests, its behind the screen operations in Karuppar Kottam that made derogatory and obscene videos on Hindu deities like Ram, Shiva, Muruga, Saraswathi made things worse. DMK’s second rung leaders’ comments on Dalits and others were taken as the party’s official views.

In AIADMK camp too things are going not well. Hindus are fed up with its blatant minority appeasement. Hindus were particularly upset when it arrested and booked a youth in Coimbatore under NSA act merely for splashin saffron paint on Periyar whereas the habitual DK, DMK, Muslim, Christian cadres who criticize Hindu gods, their belief and abuse PM Modi were allowed to go scot free. AIADMK leaders condemned draping a saffron towel and throwing paint on statues of Periyar, MGR and Anna calling it a ‘desecration’ while the same leaders kept their mouths shut when Hindu Gods were portrayed badly by Karuppar Kootam. The ruling party is slowly and steadily keeping away from the BJP alliance, if the current happenings are any pointers to the future of politics in TN. AIADMK feels that BJP and Rajinikant’s (yet to be launched) political party may align to face next year’s assembly polls.