Murmurs In The Wind

t’s the season of somersaults in Tamil Nadu. The PMK, which had gone with Jayalalitha’s AIADMK during the general elections, is retracing its steps to its old ally, the DMK. It has formally petitioned Karunanidhi to allow the re-nomination of Anbumani Ramadoss, the former Union health minister, to the Rajya Sabha. Then, Khushboo, the actress, who only days ago had made her preference for the Congress known, has joined the DMK. “It’s difficult for any cinestar to reject an invitation from Karunanidhi. He’s too powerful,” says Tamil writer Vaasanthi. Though she’s supposed to bring in the crowds, the general prediction is that Khushboo may not last too long with the DMK.

Are these realignments an indication of a larger phenomenon? Do they herald early assembly polls, originally scheduled for mid-2011? Political analysts do not rule it out. The feeling is that it may be held by the year-end. The rumour mills also suggest that the PMK’s moving closer to the DMK is sufficient indication that Vijayakanth’s dmdk may be inching closer to the AIADMK. There is further speculation that by the next elections, there may be an AIADMK, Congress and dmdk alliance.

Both the Congress and DMK have denied parting of ways. However, senior Tamil Nadu Congress leaders admit their party is in a very embarrassing position in the state on account of the telecom minister’s alleged role in the spectrum episode. They see these fresh political moves as Karunanidhi’s shrewd contingency plan, just in case the PM is forced to intervene in the spectrum scam. Interestingly, the Tamil press, unlike the national press, has not been on the warpath against Raja. Well, the political pros in the state seem to be preparing for some “breaking news”.