Tamil Nadu politics traditionally is always linked with popular film-personalities of the southern state starting with M Karunanidhi, MG Ramachandran and then J Jayalalithaa who successively dominated political scenario in the state by holding post of Chief Ministers simultaneously by becoming chief of their personality-based political party. It is also clear that their followers including even their kin could not succeed in gaining power after their deaths or incapability due to health problems. Perhaps nowhere else, supporters from amongst the masses are so emotional that in Tamil Nadu, even suicides are committed on death of their political idols (former film-personalities). It is to be noted that film-personalities in other parts of the country could not get traditional followers like in Tamil Nadu with even mega-star Amitabh Bachchan forced to quit politics after once winning Lok Sabha elections.
Entry of popular film-star Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu politics is likely to fill in the big vacuum in Tamil Nadu politics created after the death of J Jayalalithaa. With all other political mentors having been accused of accumulating by virtue of their being in power, Rajinikanth should set honest political system in the state, which may become an ideal for rest of the country.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
