Tamil Nadu has been in the news for all wrong reasons of late. It all began with the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, after a prolonged illness on December 5, 2016. Even though the ruling AIADMK’s ‘unified’ faction is celebrating their victory after Election Commission of India granted them the 'two leaves' symbol, divisions are more obvious than ever.
Recent rumblings of V. Maitreyan, Rajya Sabha MP from AIADMK, who belongs to O. Panneerselvam (OPS) faction of the party, is only a tip of the ice berg. Through a social media post, he has vented out his disappointment. Even though three months have passed after the “merger” of OPS faction and the faction led by current Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), “there has been no meeting of hearts,” Maitreyan expressed on his Facebook page. His expression of disappointment comes in the background of his outburst on ignoring OPS faction in the programmes of the state government. When the state ministers (who predominantly belong to EPS faction) went to address flood situation in the capital city of Chennai, he felt, OPS faction was left out.
Is the continued infighting within the party affecting the state, particularly Chennai, leading to an administrative paralysis? Given the nature of uncertainty in the state, investors tend to put on hold their investments in Tamil Nadu. It attains greater significance at a time when neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is building well-connected Sri City, just 75km from Chennai. Investor-friendly Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ensured that Sri City receives investments from 11 companies to the tune of Rs 1,215 crore. The huge difference in real estate prices between a capital city and newly developed Sri City is fuelling the trend. An investor can also utilise port and other facilities available in nearby metropolitan Chennai.
But is there administrative paralysis in Tamil Nadu? Particularly, due to turmoil within the ruling party? There are instances when failure on part of the government or its representatives made the life of the general public hard. State administration was criticised for not completing removal of encroachments in water bodies and water ways, which were found to be major reason for devastative Chennai floods in December 2015. The Madras High Court had to pull up the state government by summoning collectors from 13 districts to act on the issue. The high court threatened to summon the chief secretary of the state over lack of political will on this issue. The spineless state government had confessed before the court that they are unable to remove large encroachments, even two years after the man-made 2015 disaster swept the state capital.
Many flood mitigation works were initiated by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) only after the onset of the northeast monsoon in the capital city this November, leading to censure from the public. When two days of rain brought the city to a standstill, EPS was conducting a flood review meeting in Salem, 345km away from Chennai.
Though the terms of local bodies have expired by 2016, elections have not been conducted till date. This is a major contributor to administrative paralysis in the state. When rain ravaged Chennai this November, the void was hugely felt. With local body representatives being the first rung of response in emergency civic issues, managing local bodies with administrative officers are not in any way helping in redressal of public issues.
But is the state sliding to new lows due to squabbles within the ruling party? The image of the state has been really dented, particularly after the recent raids by Income Tax department at more than 180 places. Ancestral home of Jayalalithaa—Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden, Chennai—was also raided.
But contrary to popular beliefs, ease of doing business has improved in the state after Palaniswami took over the reins of the state. The head of state being inaccessible had been the foremost disappointment with many investors when Jayalalithaa ruled the state. On the contrary, Palaniswami is considered better accessible, even though charges of corruption are being arraigned against his regime. As per an estimate from real estate services and investment management company Jone Lang Lasalle (JLL), Tamil Nadu has set up investments worth over Rs 19,033 crore for the financial year 2017-18, which shows improvement in investment atmosphere which had nosedived in the immediate term before and after Jayalalithaa’s death. The investment graph is indeed rising, from Rs 8,288 crore in the previous financial year.
(File)Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam being welcomed by party members in Chennai
Even though there are talks of a “unified” AIADMK, the party is still divided into five major camps—Maitreyan’s latest missive is one more proof. Former aide of Jayalalithaa, V.K. Sasikala, who is lodged in Bengaluru prison, is still posing a challenge to EPS faction which has the rein of the government with the support of around 80 odd legislative members of the party. After OPS camp failed in its attempt to increase its tally of support from 12 legislative members, even after receiving the backing of BJP leadership, Pannerselvam had to eat humble pie by settling for a weak deputy chief minister post, from being Jayalalithaa’s heir apparent. Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar is still in the fray, hoping for a reverse of fortunes.
With the legislative party and the government firmly in the hands of Palaniswami, why such rumblings from Maitreyan, who is close to OPS and many BJP leaders? Palaniswami, who is shrewd enough to grow beyond Sasikala, after getting anointed falling at her feet, is not allowing OPS to spread his wings within the party and government after the “merger.” This is an important sign which could be read from the recent heartburn emanating from OPS faction.
When the state was ruled by giants like M. Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa, there was less scope for such rumblings. Particularly so under Jayalalithaa. Even a whimper of discontent would have been dealt with strongly by her. But when minions come to rule, everybody wants their share in power and booty. Change of political circumstances allow them to vent out their disappointments in the open.
Such frustrated rumblings aren’t going to affect Palaniswami government in any big way. He may well use the ECI verdict, in favour of the ‘unified’ AIADMK, to his advantage, unless the Big Boss at the Centre makes his next political move for the state.
(Writer is assistant professor with a leading educational institute in Chennai and a former journalist)
