There must be something terribly wrong with Congress spokespersons. Khushbu Sundar becomes the fifth illustrious Congress mediaperson to quit the party. The Congress, which attracted a number of people with high popularity ratings, seems to be lacking all skills in handling them to the best possible use and utility. The current Congress leadership can probably make more money with a book on ‘how to lose friends’.
Leading Tamil film actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar’s move to join the BJP has evoked mixed response in the social media. Although the political circle in Tamil Nadu was debating this for some time, the real strong lead indicating her tilt towards the BJP came through her support to the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
Mixed reaction
As was expected, Khushbu Sundar has refused to spell out what she expects from the BJP and turned the question around to suggest that the party will do much more than what it is doing now for Indian citizens. She has also told a TV channel that “when you have 128 crore people actually believing in one man and that’s our PM, I think they’re doing something absolutely right”.
But her earlier tweet saying, “It’s an insult to me as an Indian to call him (Narendra Modi) my PM.. he behaves like a PM to selective group..Alas blind bhakts don’t see that..communal riot minded such as you follow a man who thinks people from different religion are not INDIANS.. Modi is an insult to India n it’s democracy”. Strong words.
She will still draw crowds when she hits the campaign trail soon in Tamil Nadu. But it is difficult to say to what extent the cadre in the state will accept her as a leader of the party. Going by the present mixed reaction, it is possible that the BJP might not benefit as much as it would have expected from her entry into the party.
Also read: ‘Stay within Lakshman Rekha’ — AIADMK tells BJP as rift between TN allies appears to widen
New entrants, old problem
The BJP’s growth from a two-member party in Parliament to a ruling party with practically no challenger in the near future is mainly due to four factors. The strong adherence to the core ideology of the party in tune with its programmes and policies. The second factor is the dedicated cadre that has in some cases passed on from the first generation of Bharatiya Jana Sangh workers to the present crop of leg workers. The third factor is the extremely well-calibrated election strategies going down to the electoral booth level to decimate the opponents. The last and the important factor is the projection of a charismatic leader.
The recent entrants into the party, be it in Madhya Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, does not fit into any of these categories. Tamil Nadu politics saw the last of the dominance of the celluloid icons. After the exit of stalwarts like C. Rajagopalachari and M. Bhaktavatsalam, Tamil Nadu politics oscillated between the two Dravidian parties led by silver screen idols who were virtually deified. The present leadership of all the state and national parties do not have this comfort of flaunting a cine idol. That age and era seems to be over. In such a situation, it is doubtful if cine artists, albeit highly successful, will bring any value to the BJP, which is struggling to open its account in the state.
Also read: Sasikala ‘set for release’ — AIADMK says inconsequential but some leaders wary of poll impact
Burden still on Modi
Khushbu Sundar began her career in politics by joining the AIADMK in 2001 after her programmes in Jaya TV became a hit. After the BJP lost power at the Centre in 2004 and AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa’s fortunes nosedived, Khushbu joined the DMK in 2006. Despite not having any background in the party or links with the Dravidian movement that the DMK spearheaded for more than four decades, she became the high-ranking spokesperson of the DMK. She quit the party after it lost in 2011. She then joined the Congress, which lost power in 2014. According to one Twitter post, the BJP is not in power in Tamil Nadu and hence nothing to lose even if a “jinxed” Khushbu joins it now.
Yet, the local unit of the BJP must have thought of a new strategy. In the last few weeks, a number of politicians from other parties and people from the bureaucracy have joined the BJP. They bring with them credibility and administrative experience. The BJP needs new faces in Tamil Nadu and become more representative of the social structure.
Besides, the ideology of Dravidian separatism propagated by Dravida Kazhagam and then in the political platform by the DMK seems to have become outdated and rejected by a large section of the electorate. Even the anti-Hindi, anti-north propaganda does not seem to yield any political result.
There is no state-level leader to match the charisma and popularity of Narendra Modi. In such a situation, the party will need a good core team at the state level, which will be deeply rooted in ideology and reach out to the cadre and at the same time make maximum use of the new entrants.
The author is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. Views are personal.
Kushbu is an old actress. That is all and nothing more. She will not have any impact on politics except making some news item for hungry media.
Yay Kushboo aa Nahi aa Sakti banavat Kay phoolon sey
Two things would help the ruling party spread geographically. One, a tested, proven model of good governance and economic development. Both at the Centre and in the states where it is in power, like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Second, a world view that moves beyond what has succeeded in the Hindi heartland. One would not really count the north east as a successful experiment, since it has a long history of allying with the formation in power at the Centre and a great deal of realpolitik has been deployed. The good people of Tamil Nadu would want to know what the party brings to the table that is superior to what they already have.
hihihi. he conveniently left out Shri Kamaraj. some political knowledge that is. and irrespective of how many moronic bureacrats and glamorous actors you bring in bjp will never beat Nota if it fights in a separate alliance . they may get one or two seats if they fight in aiadmk alliance. tamilnadu is not assam or northeast or UP. the fight is civilisational . and the author babbling about dravidian separatism is laughable . the DMK dropped the slogan as back as 1965 and the two dravidian parties are the strongest proponents of Indian union even while fighting for state rights . poochandi nahi dikhana. and these shameless charis either hitch themselves to the either of the dravidian separatists for one or two seats when it is convenient. seshadir charis must stop sanctimony.
He has got the dates about her past party affiliations all wrong.. she never joined admk
” ideology of Dravidian separatism propagated by Dravida Kazhagam” – shame on Chari to write these words.. how much separatism has happened here.. and even if it had happened, it is better for TN and who ever cared for their own states… proof is in the pudding..
Yuval Noah Harari, historian, philosopher and best-selling author, says that the only truth is suffering. All other feelings and emotions are passe’. It is clear that the only criterion for a satisfied life is to keep the suffering away – the answer therefore is providing for Food – clothes and abode (roti-kapda-makan).
Discrimination and special provisions based on anything other than economic status will NOT solve problems -sentiments, caste, religion et al are only distraction. A uniform civil code is the answer for a better Governance and equitable distribution of wealth and reduce suffering.
another shameless belt view.
Nobody should stop hoping, and nor should Chari. With issues like NEET, second class status of Tamil to Hindi, anti reservation stance (like the one with Anna University) and communalism driven agendas, BJP has actually empowered the Dravidian parties to consolidate their positions and unite non Brahmins. This is fertile for the resurgence of the DMK even under a weak leader like Stalin.
The author seems to miss the point that when the whole country was washed away in the tsunami of Modiji Tamil Nadu continued voting against the BJP. BJP has not made great inroads in TN even in the Union election leave alone the State elections. The Dravidian parties might not have a charismatic leader but they definitely do have a strategy to keep BJP out, and it is clearly working. Mr. Chari misses out the point that BJP might not be having a strong hold of the caste dynamics in TN, which is quite different from the battle perfected Hindutva pitch of the BJP. The lack of credible leaders (who have an independent standing) ; lack of access to local TV channels (Dravidian channels control most channels) to communicate with the people; continuous Hindi Hindu rhetoric which helps win votes in North India but not in TN are some of the other issues plaguing the party.
Why Chariji wasted space and so many words. He could have simply there marching charismatic leader India, leave alone Tamil Nadu. SCji, if I am right is Tamilian and quite charismatic and along with Modi, it would be double charismatic