Tamil Nadu politics is in a flux with J. Jayalalitha who has been convicted of corruption having created a political vacuum in the state. The TN electorate is in a tizzy. At this juncture, the DMK’s organizational elections have taken a dramatic significance. Voters are fed up with the dynastic and insular politics bedeviling the party. On the other hand, it has a steady base and has survived many a crisis. M. Karunanidhi’s son, M.K. Stalin, is party treasurer and his growing ascendancy betrays sundry features of dynastic politics. He has tried to achieve two objectives in the party elections. Stalin has increased the number of party districts which will enable newcomers to climb up the party hierarchy. No longer will party operations be hamstrung by the monopoly of power enjoyed by a handful of district strongmen. Stalin has also tightened his own control over the party apparatus. He is out to wipe out discontent caused by the oligarchic hold of a few families which got synonymous with the DMK.
AIADMK supremo J.Jayalalitha’s future is doomed unless the judiciary takes a U-turn. She is debarred from contesting elections for ten years. Even to her own party-men, she is now a tarnished angel. Can the DMK reap rich dividends out of the situation? It has to shed its dynastic image. Not merely are voters frustrated with family ownership of political leadership. Ambitious politicians are also pushing for change. The DMK has to democratize its organization. One other thing. Corruption is not the AIADMK’s monopoly. A former DMK minister at the Centre, A. Raja is in jail for complicity in the 2G scam. Karunanidhi’s daughter is also mired in sleaze. The DMK has to do its best to clean up its image.