In one swift move, Modi has shown that he doesn’t just play the political game—he redefines it.
The recent release of a coin by the Modi government in honour of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has sparked much speculation and confusion among those who are anti-DMK. However, from a purely political perspective, this move demonstrates why Modi is the master strategist of Indian politics.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the commemorative coin to mark the birth centenary of the late DMK patriarch on August 18 in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin and Union Minister L Murugan.
This Karunanidhi coin release event is a decisive checkmate against Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, who might have considered bringing a no-confidence motion against the government. With this single stroke, Modi has effectively silenced those who believed his political survival depended on the support of these leaders. The message is clear: Modi can navigate the political landscape without their backing.
Annamalai at the Karunanidhi Coin Release Event
The icing was Modi sending Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai for the coin release event.
Annamalai, who has been the face of the attack on the DMK over the past three years, has successfully positioned himself as a leader of the anti-DMK vote bloc. He boosted the alliance’s support to 18% in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
His presence at the event was no ordinary gesture—top officials, including the Chief Minister, invited Annamalai. This move reinforces Modi’s statement of strength.
Why is this significant?
The answer is straightforward: CM M.K. Stalin has historically refrained from voting against the opposition during no-confidence motions, preferring to have his party walk out. If a no-confidence motion came up now, Stalin’s 22 MPs would likely walk out rather than vote. It will further weaken any opposition challenge.
While some of Annamalai’s supporters might see his attendance at the event as a slight disappointment, from a broader perspective, it’s a masterstroke that strengthens the government’s position. There’s no alliance, but the move was a strategic step to solidify political power.
Samaniyar Nagaraj is a techie-turned-political analyst.
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