When the AIADMK supremo passed away in December 2016, it set off a churn both within the party and the government. The party split into factions and the government was in doldrums with no face as strong and charismatic as Jayalalithaa. Four years down the line, both the party and government has consolidated itself and has emerged stronger under a leader who has established himself as a doer.
When EPS took over as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in February 2017, he was written off as a nondescript leader. Someone temporary. Many predicted that the government would fall within a year and an election was round the corner that would bring the DMK to power with Stalin as the CM. But as destiny would have it, the government has not just managed to stay adrift but has strengthened its roots. Even the mindset of people has changed from “This is not the government I voted for. I voted for Amma. Who is EPS?” to, “The man is doing fine. Things are going good”, giving EPS, a thumbs up.
This thought finds resonance across different sections. Earlier, businesses were sceptical about putting their money in the state. However, with a successful Global Investors Meet in 2019 and a dashing trip to the US, UK and Dubai to pitch Tamil Nadu as the place to invest, he has come to be seen as a proactive leader who knows his stuff.
EPS has also managed to put up a tough fight against his political opponents. Numerous attempts by opposition leaders to bring down this government went in vain. Gimmicks like coming out of the Assembly flaunting a torn shirt and moving no-confidence motions went bust. Attempts to turn people against the government by instigating them emotionally, though had its effect in the Lok Sabha polls, hasn’t cowed down this government. Strategic course correction and political astuteness helped them win enough seats in by-elections to secure them a comfortable majority to run the government till 2021. With rising stature of EPS both in the government and in the party, it was able to pull off a commendable performance in the local body elections too.
EPS has come to be seen as a leader close to the people. Rising from the grassroots, he is seen as someone who is down to earth and a simpleton who understands people’s problems. His farming roots has allowed him to prioritize agricultural issues bringing an end to some of Tamil Nadu’s long standing problems like the Cauvery issue.
His approach to religion is also very nuanced and balanced because he understands that Tamil Nadu dynamics are different. While he doesn’t shy away from sporting a sacred ash thus wearing his identity on his sleeve, he at the same time, doesn’t go about his way to antagonize or appease minorities for the sake of votes. Something that Jayalalithaa also did.
EPS also has proven himself to be someone who doesn’t hold back punches. He sent out a clear message to actors acting as part-time politicians that he is not someone to be messed with. In a pressmeet in November 2019, he gave a stinging rebuttal to these part time politicians that their fate would end up the same as Sivaji Ganesan’s. He said “Those saying there is a vaccum in leadership don’t even have the guts to contest elections. Rajini and Kamal are only seeing politics as a post-retirement plan. While the former has been filling his coffers after announcing a ‘grand political entry’, the latter is at a stage where only his party members are watching his new releases.” Yes, you don’t mess with someone who has immersed himself in politics since 1974, has been elected MLA 4 times, has been a Minister in Jayalalithaa’s cabinet and is currently providing not good but awesome governance.
As he wages a war with all his might against a deadly virus, let us all wish for his good health and pray that the man be given strength in pulling the state out of this crisis.
Belated birthday wishes to the CM!