CHAPTER - II
LITICAL CONDITIONS IN
PAMILNADU 1976-1996
28
CHAPTER - II
POLITICAL CONDITION IN TAMIL NADU
1976-1996
The first year of the two decades in this study (i.e.) 1976
Tamil Nadu, which was described as an ‘Island in India’ during the
period of Emergency (1975-77) witnessed drastic poliiical changes. The
DMK government led by M. Karunanidhi, which had been resisting
enforcement of many regulations of Emergency Period, was dismissed in
the month of January 1976 on corruption charges and the Central
Government constituted Sarkaria Commission to inquire charges of
corruption during the DMK regime 1971-1976.
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu - 1976
The imposition of President’s Rule in Tami Nadu in 1976,
discovered altogether a new dimension for the application of Article 356
of the Constitution, making it in the process a completely open-ended
one. Tamil Nadu, which had the DMK as the ruling party since 1967,
29
came under President’s rule on January 31, 1976 exactly fifty days
before the normal five year term of the State Assanbly was due to
expire.1 The DMK had absolute majority in the Assembly but the
decision to dissolve the DMK Government and introduce President’s
Rule was taken by the Central Government on the groimd of wide-spread
political corruption in the State. During that time Mrs. Indira Gandhi was
the Prime Minister of India, who introduced emergency powers (MISA,
Press censorship), which were criticized by the DMK Government.
On January 31, 1976, K.K. Shah, the Governor of Tamil Nadu,
sent a report on Tamil Nadu situation to the President Shri Fakhruddin
Ali Ahmed, who intum forwarded it to the Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi
for advice. The Cabinet endorsed the move to impose Article 356 on
Tamil Nadu,
and immediately thereafter the President issued
Proclamation and dissolved the Assembly. The five-year term of the
Assembly would have automatically expired on March 21, 1976, but the
Central Government did not wish to wait for fifty days more because of
the 'serious situation’ in Tamil Nadu in terms of the Governor’s Report.2
1
Shriram Maheswari. President’s Rule in India. McMillan Company of India.
Limited, New Delhi, 1977, p.107
2
Text of Tamil Nadu Governor’s Report to the President Dated January 29,
1976
30
The Governor’s Report said that the DMK Govemmeit had indulged in
serious acts of maladministration, corruption and misuse of power for
partisan ends. The DMK Government violated the instruction of the
Centre in relations to the emergency powers for its own purposes. It also
demanded greater State autonomy which was a kind of 'veiled threat of
secession’. Finally the Governor called for appointmert of a High Power
Commission to inquire into the allegations of corruption and misuse of
power made against the DMK Ministers.
The main features of maladministration under tie DMK Ministry,
■a
were the following:
1.
Veeranam Project was one of the major projects made by
the DMK Government for the purpose of drinking water. A
number of major contracts are alleged t« have been given
only to certain contractors who were favoured by the DMK
leadership for services rendered by them in kind and
money.
2.
During 1973 Tamil Nadu faced drought on account of
failure of mansoon. The Government of India sanctioned a
3
Shriram Maheswari, Op.rit, P.203
31
solid amount for drought relief, which was not properly
used and diverted on a large scale and it has been
commented upon by the Auditor General of Tamil Nadu.
3.
Grave allegations were made about admission to all the
Medical Colleges. The DMK Govemmait centralized the
powers relating to admissions to those colleges. Unless an
individual paid amounts ranging from Rs. 10,000 Rs. 20,000, no admission was granted.
4.
There were administrative and financial improprieties for
example the Government of India allotted Rs. 16 lakhs to
Tamil Nadu under Fourth Five Year Plan to be spent on
propaganda for removal of untouchability. The amount was
diverted to Information and Publicity Department which
spent it on other purposes.
5.
On
account
of
the
administrative
interference,
Shri Kattur Gopal, President of the Dravidian Labour
Progressive Federation, which is the Labour Front of the
32
DMK Party was installed as President of the 10,000 strong
Simpson Group workers and Staff Union, displacing
Gurumurthy of INTUC (Indian Natio»al Trade Union
Congress). This action sparked off unprecedented trouble in
the Simpson Group of factories.
6.
The Government machinery of the State was liberally
employed for collection of funds for the party.
7.
There were numerous instances of interference and misuse
of Government machinery including the use of Police force
for the purpose of furtherance of party interests.
Immediately
after
the
Proclamation
of Emergency
by
Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1975, the State Government issued its own
censorship orders under mle 48 of Defense and Internal Security of India
Rules (Acts), 1971. When the Central Government issued detailed basic
censorship order, the State Government officials did not faithfully carry
out censorship according to the guidelines issued by the Centre. This
resulted in the free circulation of a lot of literature including newspapers
33
containing exhortations and public speeches highly critical of emergency
measures. These publications found their way to the neighbouring states
also and complaints were received from Kerala and Pondicherry about
the difficulties faced by them by the flow of such literature from Tamil
Nadu.
Apart from the laxity in the implementation of emergency
measures, there were glaring instances of misuse of power. For instances
the power vested in the State Government under rule 47(1) of Defence
and Internal Security of India Rules, 1971 was misused to muzzle news
media belonging to opposition parties.
Under cover of demand for State autonomy, DMK leaders
including the Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi and other Ministers
from time to time held out veiled threats of session in case the desired
autonomy was not granted. Sinister comparisons were made in their
public utterances with the events in Bangaladesh and the fate of
Mujibur Rehman. Some of the DMK leaders gave a threat of revolution
in Tamil Nadu if the life of the State Assembly was net extended. In the
Fifth State Conference of DMK held from 25 to 28th December, 1975 at
34
Coimbatore,4 it was underlined that if the party’s demand for State
autonomy was not conceded, the DMK would have no alternative but to
revive its earlier demand for 'Separate Tamil Nadu’. The sustained
campaign involving propaganda, agitational approach and indirect
encouragement of a climate of violence on the part of the DMK party to
achieve the above purpose was against the concept of national
integration.
So, by quoting these circumstances, the Governor, K.K. Shah,
reported to the President, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, that a situation had
arisen where the Government of the State could not be carried on in
accordance with the provision of the Constitution and recommended the
President to take necessary action under Article 356 of the Constitution
for the administration of the State. He also recommended to him to
dissolve the State legislative Assembly and to appoint a High Power
Commission to inquire into the several serious allegations against the
DMK Ministers involved in corruption.5
The President considered the report which came from the
Governor of the State of Tamil Nadu and said that, he was satisfied that a
4
Ibid., P.207.
5
Ibid., P.208.
35
situation had arisen in which the Government of that State could not be
carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and
dissolved the Assembly. Tamil Nadu, which had the Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam as the ruling party came under President’s rale on January 31,
1976. Tamil Nadu was under President’s rule till Jun-s 30, 1977, nearly
seventeen months, (i.e) one year, four months and twerty nice days.6
The emergency was lifted by the end of January 1977 followed
by General elections in the month of March. The Congress (I) AIADMK - CPI alliance swept the polls. In the .Assembly election,
which followed, saw a triangular contest and the AIADMK led by
M.G. Ramachandran (M.G.R.) emerged triumphant on its own and
M.G.R. formed the first AIADMK government.
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu -1980
Tamil Nadu came under President’s rule for tke second time on
February 17, 1980. The thirty month old All Inda Anna Dravida
Munnetra
Kazhagam
(AIADMK)
Govemnent
led
by
M.G. Ramachandran was dismissed on February 17, 1980. The reason
6
Rajeev Dhavan, President Rule in the States. N.M. Triprthi Private Ltd.,
Bombay, 1979, P.189.
36
given by the Centre for the dismissal of this government was the
deteriorating law and order and non-availability of essential commodities
in the State. Tamil Nadu was under the President’s rule till June 9, 1980,
nearly three and half months7 There were some political reasons for the
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu for the second time.
In the 6th General Election Janata Party got majority and formed
the Government on March 24, 1977, for the first time from the days of
Independence a Non-Congress Party formed the Government at Centre.
Mr. Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister. Many national level
opposition parties were merged on the advice of Jayaprakash Narayan
and it was called Janata Party. It had its own impact in Tamil Nadu
Politics. When Janata Party came to power, Moharlal Sukhadia, the
Governor of Tamil Nadu resigned his post on April 6. 1977, because he
belonged to the Congress (I). In his place Prabhudas Balubhai Patwari
was posted. He was one of the Sarvodhaya leaders, who was detained
under MISA for eleven months on suspicion in Baroda dynamite case.
Janata Government appointed him as Governor of Tamil Nadu, he was
sworn in on April 26, 1977.8 At the Center, unity among the various
7
Fedia, Dr. B.L. and Manana, Dr. R.K. Sarkaria Commission Report and
Centre State Relations. Published by Sahitya Bhawan, Agra, 1990, P.103.
8
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated April 27,1977.
37
leaders in the Janata Party was not stable so the life of :he Non-Congress
Government could last for only 18 months. This critical situation was
responsible for another General Election, which took place in the first
week of January 1980.
The Tamil Nadu Congress (I) made an alliance with DMK and
Muslim league. Their alliance got excellent victory m the Lok Sabha
Election. Congress (I) got 20 seats and DMK gat 16 seats, their
supporter Muslim League got one seat. In short, mamy States in India
voted for the Congress (I) and on 14th January 1980. Mrs. Indira Gandhi
became the Prime Minister of India. The relationship between the
Congress (I) and DMK helped to dissolve the AIADV K Government in
the State in 1980. The Union Law Minister P. Shiv Shenkar on the basis
of three reasons justified the action of the Government of India.
1.
There was delay on the part of States ruled by NonCongress(I) Government.
2.
There was every possibility of these Sta;es blocking other
progressive measures in the future and
38
3.
These governments had lost the confidence of the
electorates as reflected in the recent Lok Sabha Election.9
The result was the Tamil Nadu Ministry was dissolved on
February
17,
1980,
with other 8 State Ministries.
Mr. T.N. Lakshmi Narayanan, I.A.S. was appointed as an
adviser to the Governor of Tamil Nadu on February 19,
1980.
In the 1980 General elections, the Congress - DMK alliance won
38 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Consequently the Congress government at the Centre dismissed the
AIADMK government in the State. However, M.G.R. with sheer stint of
his enigma, returned to power in the Assembly elections that followed.
In October 1984, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot
dead by her security men. M.G.R. had taken ill and was undergoing
treatment in U.S.A. The State Assembly was dissolved and Assembly
Election was held along with the General elections in December 1984.
The AIADMK was returned to power with thumping majority contesting
9
The Indian Express, Daily, Madras, February 19,1980.
39
the polls in alliance with the Congress. M.G.R. returned from US and
was swom-in as Chief Minister for the third time.
M.G.R died in December 1987 and the party found by him was
divided between his widow Janaki Ramachandran and his 'political heir’
Jayalaiitha. Janaki Ramachandran was swom-in as Chief Minister but
her mle lasted just for 28 days. The Tamil Nadu Asembly witnessed
unprecedented violence when it met to take vote of confidence. The
Centre dissolved the Assembly and promulgated President rule.
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu -1988
President’s Rule was imposed in Tamil Nadu for the third time
on January 30, 1988, because of the socio-political tension that was built
up remorselessly in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the death of Chief
Minister M.G.Ramachandran, between January 3 and January 28,
particularly on the day the assembly met to consider the motion of
confidence in Mrs Janaki Ramachandran.
After the death of the Chief Minister Mr. M.G. Ramachandran on
December 24, 1987, a complicated situation arouse in Tamil Nadu
40
politics. The AIADMK party was divided in to two - Mrs. Janaki
Ramachandran faction and Miss. Jayalalitha faction.
Mr. V.R. Nedunchehiyan held the post of interim-Chief Minister.
He belonged to the Miss. Jayalalitha faction and demanded the Governor
to give time to prove his strength in the Legislative Assembly. But the
Governor of Tamil Nadu Mr. S.L. Kurana did not accept the demand and
asked him to elect a leader to the AIADMK party wlo would lead the
Legislative Assembly. Both Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran and Miss.
Jayalalitha conducted party meetings separately and found 97 MLA’s
(Member
of
Legislative
Assembly)
supported
Mrs.
Janaki
Ramachandran, which was informed to the Governor, who was satisfied
with the statements given by the MLA’s of Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran
had been elected leader of the largest single party in the Assembly. The
Governor made it clear that he was appointing her as fulfledged Chief
Minister.10 Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran was sworn in om January 7, 1988.
Governor S.L. Kurana announced that Mrs. Janaki Ramachandran should
prove her majority in the Assembly within three weeks of assuming
office as Chief-Minister.
10
Dinakaran,Tami\ Daily, Madras, Dated January 4,1988.
41
The
decision
of
the
Governor
was
criticized
by
V.R.Nedunchezhiyan. He said the Rajbhavan was not the place for
testing the majority of the Party.11 Miss. Jayalalitha told the Governor
that according to the Constitution the office of the Governor was above
party politics but the Governor in this case had played partisan politics
violating all cannons of Constitutionalism and democracy.12 It was a
Constitutional obligation that the Assembly session in the new year must
commence with Governor’s address. The Governor in his address will
broadly indicate the Government policy, which will have to be debated
and a motion of thanks for the address be moved and passed.13 On
January 25, 1988 the Governor S.L. Kurana addressed the House with
the new policies, such as “Chief Minister’s Employment Scheme”,
“Priority to destitute women” and “Reiteration of M.G. Ramachandran’s
policies etc.” Before the Governor’s address to the House, the DMK
Deputy Assembly Leader Mr. Nanjil K.Manoharan described “the
Governor’s address to the House as a “Flagrant and blatant violation of
democratic procedures and practices”, but the Governor himself declared
that it was in accordance with the Constitution. In a Statement read out
11
Murasoli, Tamil Daily, Madras, Dated January 6,1988.
12
The Indian Express, Daily, Madras, Dated January 7,1988.
13
Dinamani, Tamil Daily, Madras, Dated January 8,1988.
42
in the Assembly before the commencement of the Governor’s address
Mr. Manoharan said “that technically speaking” there : s no Government
worth its name before the new Government established its majority.
Hence my question is on behalf of which Govemmeni are you going to
address?” Governor’s address is nothing but the v>ew, policies and
programmes of the Government. Now the situation is uncertain,
nebulous, untenable, fluid and precarious, he said. He also requested the
Governor to defer the address which he felt that it was not in accordance
with legal and constitutional norms.”14 The DMK and Jayalalitha’s
faction MLA’s walkout from the Assembly.
Mrs. Janaki Ramachandaran had already sought the Congress(I)
party to vote for the confidence motion, but they die not answer upto
January 28, 1988. On th day of the decision, Congreis(I) voted against
the Janaki group High command tried to get DMK’s support. But DMK
stated that there was “No chance to support either Janaki faction or
Jayalalitha faction in future”15 The result was Mrs. Janaki Ministry failed
to prove her strength in the House on January 28, 1988.16 The
Governor’s report said, there was breakdown of constitutional machinery
14
Murasoli, Tamil Daily, Madras, January 26,1988.
15
Malai Murasu, Tamil Daily, Madras, January 28,1988.
16
The Hindu, Daily„Madras, Dated Januaiy 29,1988.
43
in the state and a situation had arisen in which it had become impossible
to carry on the Government in accordance with the provision of the
Constitution, so the State Governor recommended imposition of
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu. The President announced dissolution of
Tamil Nadu Government under the Article 356 on January 30, 1988.17
The AIADMK Government came to an end dramatically and the Central
Government decided to change the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Dr. P.C. Alexandar (Indian High Commissioner in United Kingdom) was
appointed as a Governor of Tamil Nadu on February 14, 1988.18 He was
sworn in as the Governor of Tamil Nadu on February 17, 198819 and the
President Rule came to an end in January 27,1989.
Dr. P.C. Alexandar was sworn in as the Governor of Tamil Nadu
by Chief Justice M.N. Chandurkar at Rajaji Hall in Madras on February
17, 1985. He promised that he would devote special attention to the
projects intended to benefit the poor. Under privileged and backward
sections of the community particularly the Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribes. Dr. P.C. Alexander got an increased allocation of rice
17
The Indian Express, Daily, Madras, January 31,1988.
18
The Indian Express, Daily, Madras, Dated January 15,1988.
19
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated February, 18,1988.
44
from 50,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes from the control tool for the people
of Tamil Nadu.20
The State Government had sanctioned an additional outlay of
Rs.15 crore to the Madras Corporation for maintaining better level of
civil services.21 He wanted to take care of children’s health in the state
especially in the slum areas. He formed a Committee to go into their
problems of the Social Welfare Department. The Committee approved
the urban “Out reach” scheme patterned on the prknary health care
system to cover the slum population in 27 urban towns in the State22
He also took steps to improve the Backward Class students’
education. So he ordered to increase the annual income limit from
Rs.5,000 to Rs. 12,000 of parent or guardian for sanction of scholarship
to the students belonging to the B.C., Text books, note books and
uniforms were distributed freely to the Adi-dravida students.23
The Central Government commanded the implementation of
“Jeevandhara” scheme in the State. Under the scheme 5000 wells were
allotted for Tamil Nadu.24
20
21
22
23
24
Ibid., Dated March 4,1988
Ibid., Dated April 29,1988
The Indian Express, Daily, Madras, Dated September 15,1988
Ibid, Dated September 28,1988
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated November 23,1988
45
The State witnessed four-comer contest in the Assembly
elections held in January 1989 and the DMK was elected to power after
13 years of wilderness. Karunanidhi was swom-in as Chief Minister for
the third time.
But equally ‘astute’ politician that she is, J. Jfeyalalitha lost no
time in getting the party of M.G.R. reunited and retrieving the ‘two
leaves’ symbol of her mentor. The two by elections saw the rejuvenated
AIADMK winning hands down. She also struck the formidable
AIADMK - Congress alliance for the Lok Sabha elections held in
December 1989, which swept the polls, although the Congress suffered
reverses at the national level as a result of Bofors revelations.
Mr. V.P.Singh, Janata Dal Leader got the support from BJP and formed
the Government on December 2, 1989.
The Congress(I) was the strong opposition party under Rajiv
Gandhi. When V.P. Singh was the Prime Minister, the relationship
between the Central Government and the Tamil Nadu Government was
cordial. But there was a great political change at the Centre when Mr.
V.P. Singh lost his power on November 7, 1990 and Mr. Chandrasekhar
46
became the Prime Minister with the help of Congress^), AIADMK and
other parties on November 10.
President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu -1991
For the fourth time the President Rule was imposed in
Tamil Nadu on January 30, 1991. Dr. P.C. Alexandar was the only
Governor who administered the State with the real powers for nearly a
year.
The political change at the Centre had its own impact in
Tamilnadu politics. The AIADMK and Congress (I) members in the
State raised their slogan strongly and made complaints about the DMK
rule. The main weakness of the party was that there was not even a
single seat in the Lok Sabha. A delegation of Congress(I) MPs (Member
of Parliament) from Tamil Nadu led by Mr. K. Ramammrthy (President
TNCC(I)) submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Mr.
Chandrasekhar and the party President Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, listing several
charges against the DMK Government and demanding its dismissal.
47
The charges had been related “to the nexus between the DMK
Government and LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ezham) the help
extended by DMK Partymen to the militant group, smuggling arms and
drugs, police action favouring LTTE militants, charges of corruption
involving the Chief Minister, his family members and Ministers, misuse
and abuse of the Government machinery, administrative lapses and
corrupt practices involving some officials of the Sate Government
including acquisition of wealth disproportionate to their known sources
of income and deterioration of General Law and Orcfer situation in the
State25
After
receiving
their
memorandum
Prime
Minister
Mr. Chandrasekhar called the Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi to discuss
the finalisation of the Annual plan of the State for 1991-1992 and to
discuss the charges leveled against him by the opposition parties.
Mr. Karunanidhi explained that their charges were baseless. After his
return from Delhi, Mr. Karunanidhi was planning to send back as many
Tamil Militants to Sri Lanka as possible taking advantage of the
ceasefire in the island agreed upon by both the Sri Lankan Government
25
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated January 1,1991.
48
and the LTTE. The militants belonging to the various groups were
confined to special camps in different parts of the State and they were
told that they can return to their country and tiat Tamil Nadu
Government will make arrangements for their passage to the destination
of their choice26
The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral L. Ramadas made a charge
against the Tamil Nadu Government, that the Tamil Nadu Government
was releasing all those taken into custody by the Navy during the
patrolling operation.27 The Central Government took into consideration
the LTTE problem. The All India Congress(I) Committee also demanded
stringent action against the Tamil Nadu Government, even dismissal if
necessary, for the alleged failure to take the law and order problem posed
by the presence of LTTE Militants in the State.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi refused the
allegations and said it was politically motivated and expressed the hope
that the Prime Minister Mr. Chandrasekhar would net succumb to the
false propaganda unleashed by the Congress(I) and the AIADMK to get
the State Government dismissed. The Janata Dal also accused the Prime
26
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated January 6,1991.
27
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated January 8,1991.
49
Minister Mr. Chandrasekhar of “concocting” charges against the
Tamil Nadu Government.28
The Congress(I) also joined the demand of resignation and
compelled
Government.
Chandrasekhar
On
15 th
Government
January
1991
to
dissolve
the
Prime
the
DMK
Minister
Mr. Chandrasekhar said his Government had no plan to take action
against the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu on the basis of the
memorandum submitted by the AIADMK.
But he was again and again forced by the Cengress(I) and the
AIADMK to dissolve the Tamil Nadu Government. The Tamil Nadu
Congress(I) committee was threatening to launch “direct action” in the
State if the Centre did not dismiss the State Government, following this
Statement both AIADMK and TNCC(I) conducted a 12 hour state-wide
“road roko” agitation in Tamil Nadu demanding the dismissal of the
DMK Government for what they called its anti national stance and
failure to maintain law and order on January 28, 199“l. On January 28,
1991, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi declared a
holiday to the Government Offices, Schools, and Private Sectors and to
28
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated January 12,1991.
50
cut the bus service through the State on that day. At the same time, the
Government were taking precautionary measures such as arresting the
AIADMK and Congress(I) leaders in the State, in order to maintain law
and order in the State.
Mr. Chandrasekhar decided to dissolve the DMK Government in
Tamil Nadu on January 30, 1991. Earlier during a 10 hour visit to the
capital the Tamil Nadu Governor Mr. S.S. Bamala was stated to have
strongly opposed the Centre’s move to impose President’s Rule in
Tamil Nadu. Mr.S.S. Bamala arrived in Delhi at sho< notice called on
the Prime Minister Mr. Chandrasekhar. He was ordered to submit the
Governor’s report for the dismissal of the DMK Government in
Tamil Nadu, but Mr. S.S. Bamala did not submit the report. Central
Ministers also met the Tamil Nadu Governor but there was no effect. So
Mr. Chandrasekhar himself submitted his recommendations to the
President to impose President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu wider article 356.29
Governor Mr. S.S. Bamala did not act as an 'agent’ of the Centre, in
imposing the President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu in 1991 and was recalled
by the President.
29
The Hindu, Daily, Madras, Dated February 1,1991.
51
In the elections held in May 1991, for the Lok Sabha and State
Assembly, seats were divided and under ‘M.G.R. formula’. A human
bomb
at
Sriperumpudur
in
Tamil
Nadu
assassinated
Former
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi when he came for the campaign. In the
postponed polling the AIADMK made a sweep and was returned to
power. J. Jayalalitha was swom-in as Chief Minister.
Although many socially relevant legislations and measures were
ushered in and remarkable progress was made in the industrial front,
J. Jayalalitha regime also was routed in the elections held in May 1996
by a powerful combination of the Opposition.
2.
HEADS OF GOVERNMENTS
The two decades under discussion in Tamil Nadu saw three
prominent leaders wielding the mantle of Chief Minister (viz)
M.G. Ramachandran, M. Karunanidhd and J. Jayalalitia. Each of them
was a leader of his/ her own standing.
M.G.R.: The ‘matinee-idol’ of Tamil film world M.G.R. was
bom in Kandy in Sri Lanka on 17.1.1917 migrated to Tamil Nadu with
52
his mother and elder brother after his father’s death in his very early
years. The brothers literally suffered hunger and poverty in their
childhood and joined a drama troupe (Boys Company) eke out a living.
After a stint on stages young M.G.R. got chances to don minor roles in
movies and made slow progress towards stardom. He first acted in a
minor role in the film ‘ Sathi Leelavathi’ in 1934 and his getting a
chance to act in the film ‘Rajakumarf in 1947 was the turning point in
his life.
During those days M.G.R. was avowedly a nationalist minded
Gandhian. His connections with renowned comedian N.S. Krishnan and
one V. Narayanaswami led him to meet C.N. Annadunai (Anna) founder
of the DMK and was attracted towards him. M. Kannanidhi who was
one of the lieutenants of Anna was also in the film world penning
screenplays and dialogues and he and M.G.R. became iiick friends.
The political leaders of the DMK were wary of the personality
cult that M.G.R. was developing but their supremo Anna openly
acknowledged more than once that M.G.R. was a rare gift to the party. In
recognition of his services to the party Anna made M.G.R. as MLC
53
(Member of Legislative Council) in 1962 but following dissent in party
asked M.G.R. to relinquish the same.
M.G.R. was hospitalized with a bullet injury in the neck during
the crucial 1967 elections. But the poster depicting tie photographs of
his with a bandage around his neck, seeking votes with folded hands
played magic with voters that only he won with a h»ge margin in his
St. Thomas Mount Constituency in South Madras but also helped DMK
to ascend to power in the Stat for the first time.
Anna honoured M.G.R. with the post of Vice Chairman of the
State Small Savings Board in the rank of a Minister. After Anna’s
demise in 1969, M.G.R. was mainly instrumental in the election of
Karunanidhi as Chief Minister. M.G.R. was also the main campaigner
for the DMK to counter the powerful campaign of the elderly duo Rajaji
and Kamaraj in 1971.
However after the landslide victory of the DMK in that election,
the rift between the old friends widened and M.G.R. felt slighted by
Karunanidhi in the party. His demanding accounts erf the party in his
capacity as Treasurer in a public meeting led to the expulsion of M.G.R.
54
from DMK in October 1972. There was a spomtaneous upsurge
throughout the State and the sway of M.G.R. over the masses found its
demonstration. M.G.R. found his own party ADMK, later christened as
AIADMK, with the avowed objective of restoring Anna’s DMK and
liberating the parent body from the ‘clutches’ of Kanmanidhi. It is thus
that ‘politics of personalities’ over shadowed ‘politics of principles’ in
Tamil Nadu.
M.G.R. led a virulent campaign against Kanmanidhi and caused
the dismissal of the DMK government in 1976. In the 1977 polls, as said
earlier, he had his party to power in the State.
Although M.G.R. was closely associated with the DMK and its
leaders for over two decades, he was also a staunch nationalist giving no
room for chauvinism of any hue in his party. Otherwise, basically, the
AIADMK was not much different from the DMK in principles and
ideologies. The feud was limited to the two leaders of both parties.
MGR’s dislike for poverty, hunger and squalor had been well
known. To remove them MGR expected every one’s helping hand. He
55
wants everyone to be firm in his mind and puts forth his might to achieve
a rosy future. MGR equally disliked the infirmity of the mind and
sluggishness in action. He was kind, sympathetic, affectionate,
understanding and appreciative to one and all. At the same time he was a
hard task-master.
Even while selecting the candidates for elections, MGR insisted
on the good qualities of the individual and on the esteem the candidate
possessed among the electorate. He reminded the legislators that their
duty was to fulfill the aspirations of the people and nothing else. Every
legislator must spend his time in his constituency to assess the problems
of the people. The bid of legislators to speculate on wealth was a crime
and a social evil.
MGR expected the Legislator to work unitedly for the social
regeneration and economic process of Tamil Nadu. The Legislators were
expected to do service to the society with all smiles. The Legislator,
MGR advised, should not give himself to pleasures and circumstances.
56
All the three cabinets of MGR were knovwi for their three
characteristics features : 1) MGR had accommodated duly qualified
persons to the ministries e.g. C. Aranganayagam, who was a teacher cum
Educationist from Coimbatore and S. Ramachandran, an Engineer cum
technologist from Panrutti, were given Cabinet responsibility, 2) MGR
has not interfered in the functioning of the ministries, and 3) MGR had
provided the maximum coordination between the ministries and
therefore interdepartmental quarrels were absent.30
Even while providing the maximum cooperation, MGR used to
told his colleagues that no party should pride itself for the achievements
it was able to register. He exhorted the ministers to fhlfill the promises
given to the people by the party.
MGR firmly believed that one’s education should not be wasted.
He wanted it to be put into the best use. Every body’s labour and
intelligence should be channalised to the eradication of the injustices
prevalent in the society. Therefore MGR never hesitated to get advice
from the experts, the scientists and the technologists. likewise the
30
Thandavan, R. All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhaeam f Political
Dynamics of Tamil Nadu). Tamil Nadu Academy of Po itical Science,
Madras, 1987, P.106-108.
57
wanted the experience of the bureaucracy to be creative enough in
alleviating the problems of the poor. MGR strictly folbwed the cardinal
principle of non-interference in the functions of the ciril service and the
judiciary. MGR through that the corrupt administration will destroy all
the best efforts of the government31
C.N. Annadurai always said that 'the jasmkie of even your
enemy’s garden will have its fragrance’ and he did not hesitate to give
due respect to ideas and persons, wherever and wherever they were due.
MGR also followed the footsteps of Annadurai. 'The achievements of a
ruling party would become nothing unless and until the opposition joins
the ruling party with appreciative hands’. This is MGR’s staunch belief.
Focusing on the problems of the people would became easier, MGR
suggested, if the opposition also extends a helping hands.32
MGR’s identification with the people was so complete that it has
become routine to see the crowds becoming rapturous at the sight of
MGR. The masses worshiped him, mothers took him to be their child,
young women were fascinated by the heroic and romantic portrayals of
MGR, youth took him to be their brother, and the students saw in his
31
Ibid., P.109
32
Anna, Tamil Daily, Madras, Dated January 11,1979.
58
personality benevolent leadership to be emulated. It was a common sight
that MGR was welcome during electioneering with all saffron waters
and sandal powders. People mixed the soda water he had left in the
bottle which he had drunk, with more water and share it joyfully. This
much of affection melted MGR to a great extent. He was moved and
becomes more and more dedicated to the service of the people.
M.G.R.’s popularity with the masses became legendary. Tamil
speaking people all over the world admired him for qualities of head and
heart. He was ardently revered as ‘Makkal Thilagam’ (Ornament of the
people) and ‘Ponmana ChemmaV (Noble man with golden heart) etc.,
The Government of India posthumously honoured him with the highest
civilian award of ‘Bharat Ratna’. Even his life-long critics were dumb
folded after his demise in December 1987, when it came to be known
that all he earned in the soil of Tamil Nadu were bequeathed to the
people of the State by his Will.
M. KARUNANIDHI: Bom in tiny village Timkuvalai near the
temple town of Timvarur, Karunanidhi did not have much of
Bharathiar Unlverrty
Library
59
iiiiiiiiiiiii
T —1011
conventional education. Right from his boyhood he had a flair for Tamil
literature and came under the influence of reformist and rationalist leader
Periyar EVR and Anna.
“Dr. Kalaignar’s ability and wide popularity as a powerful orator,
writer of cine story, playwright, writer of dialogue, lyricist, writer of
short stories and novels and as an actor on the stage constitute a
complete chapter of glorious acts and achievements. Suffice it to say that
his success and fame in the cine world is in no way lesser in impact and
influence as his success in the political field”.33
“Kalaignar has been for decades, with eloquence of speech and
exuberance of writing, just doing wonders among Tanils apart from a
world of good to the Tamil language as well as the land and the people.
And a comprehensive list of his glorious achievements in the realm of
art, both on the stage and on the screen, as outlined hereunder, is
obviously conducive to a comparative study among contemporary script
writers. Right at the outset, as a film script writer, Kalaignar defeated the
prolonged domination of lyrics in Tamil films by introducing simple and
60
sweet dialogues on the silver screen especially with a view to changing
the general interest of millions of spectators.”34
“Motivated by a spirit of social reformation on rationalist line,
with due regard for convention and culture, he made a turning point in
the history of filmdom. It was infra dig for anybody particularly any
women, to act those days on the stage or on the screen. But Kalaignar
brought about a pleasant change in the social atmosphere affording an
artiste a warm reception in society pretty equal to any other respectable
citizen of the country.”35
After assuming power as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,
Dr. Kalaignar did several social justice by promulgating certain new
laws of the land, doing justice to his own social forecast as outlined by
himself years ahead, in stage scripts and film scripts.
For instance, Thookku Medai (1948): Many a scene on the stage
with orthodoxy versus rationalism, covering various matters of vital
importance such as landless peasantry, priest craft, social inequality and
social injustice. A simple stage script turned out overnight to be statutes
34
Ibid., p. 11
35
Ibid,
61
of the land during this first tenure of office as Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu. Backward classes of people and Adidravidar Community allowed
to have employment of 31 per cent and 18 per cent respectively of posts
in public service, Extra communal marriage encouraged by the
Government with a view to getting rid of the scourage of caste,
Rehabilitation of beggars, Abolition of horse racing, Nationalisation of
public transport, Free education for all people.”
Again, filmscript (Parasakthi, 1952) turning out to be statute
(1970): Rehabilitation of widows and state allowance for widows in the
form of savings certificates. Daughters given equal legal right of
inheritance of family property. Poor helpless women given pre and post
confinement state allowance, creches and orphanages provided for poor
helpless children a with the help and support of temples. Publication of
rare books in Tamil arranged by Text Book Committee since its
formation in March 1970.
Karunanidhi in synonymous with over four decades of political
history of Tamil Nadu and today an avowed leader «f the Tamils and
awe-inspiring phenomenon in die fields of art and culture.36
36
Ibid., p. 13
62
J. JAYALALITHA: Bom on 25.2.1948 J. Javalalitha’s mother
Sandhya was an actress in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.
J. Jayalalitha had her matric education from a prestigious convent school
in Chennai. Despite her eagerness to study further sie had to toe her
mother’s footsteps into celluloid world in order to support her family’s
sagging income. Soon after her entry into films, she g«t a chance to pair
with M.G.R. and thereafter she was his heroine in about 36 films.
When M.G.R. fell sick in 1982 when he wis Chief Minister
hard pressed to seek a crow-puller of his stature tc countenance his
betenoire Kanmanidhi, he chose Jayalalitha to doL the mantle and
annoited her his AIADMK’s Propaganda Secretary. Ir order to train her
in the nuances of administration, he also made her a member of the apex
committee of Nutritious Meals Scheme. She had to weather the rivalry of
second rank leaders of the party in her ascendancy in the party hierarchy.
Unable to digest her leadership her rivals went to the extent of risking a
split in the party after M.G.R.’s demise in 1987, which proved very
costly leading to the reemergence of DMK mle which M.G.R. had
assiduously kept at bay during his lifetime.
63
But she succeeded in reuniting the party uncer her leadership;
redeem the ‘two leaves’ symbol of her mentor M.G.R. and usher in
‘M.G.R. rule’ again in 1991.
A voracious reader Jayalalitha can powerfilly, articulate in
English, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Urdu and
endowed with sharp wit. She can quickly grasp problems and ground
situation arrive at decisions without dithering. Once she takes a decision
she doesn’t waver or wilter under any pressure. Of course she does not
hesitate to admit mistakes and is quick in rectifying the situation.