Kamal, Rajini & the cameos of Tamil Nadu politics.

The presence of two actors ('superstars') of Tamil film industry— Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth —besides, the likelihood of M.K.Alagiri and late chief minister J.Jayalalithaa's aide V.K.Sasikala, may add new features to the state assembly elections due early next year.

The duo, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, are widely seen as B-teams of the BJP. They may be fledgelings. But they are not pushovers. They may or may not win, but they would play spoilsport, by splitting votes, to the two main Dravidian parties.

The impact of Alagiri and Sasikala are likely to be negligible, we may not know until new coalitions are formed.

The ruling AIADMK, for now, appear to have buried their differences in their rank and file caused by the factions led by chief minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami and his deputy O. Panneerselvam. 

Their once 'chinnamma'  Sasikala is expected to come out of Bengaluru central prison where she is undergoing four-year sentence in the disproportionate assets case in January, she may announce her next moves once she returns. 

Will the AIADMK witness any slight tremors due to her presence only time would tell.

The DMK led by M.K.Stalin cannot afford to be callous if it  intends to stop AIADMK from retaining power.

The DMK cannot dream of winning an important election with the Congress, left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and a few smaller outfits as its allies.

It is true that the AIADMK would have to contend with the anti-incumbancy factor. The presence of BJP in its fold is widely seen as a negative aspect. But what should be noted is that the BJP is in power at the Centre. The party is capable of aggressive politics and going to any extent to win elections. Moreover, if parties like PMK and DMDK choose to remain in the front it is going to be a stiff fight for power in the state.

Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan has already announced that his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) would go it alone in the polls. Rajinikanth is expected to float his party on January 1.

Rajinikanth took to Twitter recently to announce that he would make an announcement relating to his political outfit on December 31.

The actor said his new outfit would contest state assembly elections due early next year.

Rajinikanth affirmed Tamil Nadu is sure to witness 'spiritual politics'  which, he explained, would be honest, transparent, corruption-free, caste and communal-free politics. 

DMK president M.K.Stalin's estranged elder brother M.K. Alagiri is toying with the idea of floating a party of his own. However, he hasn't made up his mind and is stated to be holding discussions with his supporters.

Whatever, it is clear that the success of the two major political arch rivals, the AIADMK and the DMK would depend on their capability to form a broader front constituting however smaller the outfits are.

ENDS