When the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu many years ago, its members were young. At that time, the young DMK cadres launched a storm of ideas through writings, public speeches, films, and dramas, promoting rationalism, social justice, and self-respect. The youth of Tamil Nadu rallied behind them, and the people of Tamil Nadu brought about a major political transformation.
Since then, many of those same DMK members have grown old, and the party today includes numerous ministers who are well into their old age. In this election, however, the youth of Tamil Nadu have brought about a change in government. The people have not given the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) an overwhelming victory. Nor does it appear that they possess a firm or deeply confident belief in the party. It seems that, by giving it only a partial victory, they have chosen to grant it an opportunity to prove itself.
Even in Chennai, traditionally considered a DMK stronghold, the electorate defeated many of the old guard while ensuring the victory of the younger Udhayanidhi Stalin.
TVK, which came to power without presenting any substantially new ideological framework and largely by invoking the names of Periyar, Anna, and Ambedkar, appears to have understood one thing clearly. As long as three major parties continue to compete in Tamil Nadu, achieving a decisive majority will remain difficult. Therefore, if TVK leader Vijay, who has risen as a representative of image-based politics, succeeds in fully merging the AIADMK into his party, Tamil Nadu politics may evolve into a two-sided contest between the DMK and TVK. Such a development would benefit TVK's long-term future. Time will reveal how successful TVK will be in attempting to attract AIADMK figures such as Sengottaiyan into its fold.
