The 115th birth anniversary celebrations of late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj at his birthplace in Virudhunagar turned out to be a platform for both the factions of the AIADMK and the DMK to garner support of the Nadar community that has a predominant presence in southern districts.
While attempts to project Kamaraj, who is renowned for his integrity and implementation of various welfare measures in the State, as an icon of the Nadar community was palpable in the celebrations organised as ‘Kalvi Thiruvizha’ by Nadar Mahajana Sangam (NMS), politicians speaking at the function heaped praise on on the former Chief Minister and the Nadar community with a clear eye on votes.
Leaders of the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction, including former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, were the first among the three political parties to take the stage.
MLA ‘Ma Foi’ K. Pandiarajan highlighted how late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa played a crucial role in removing a portion of content from a CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) textbook, since it was perceived to be derogatory to the Nadar community.
Similarly, he drew a parallel between Kamaraj’s resignation from the post of Chief Minister in 1963 to strengthen the Congress and the breaking away of Mr. Panneerselvam from the AIADMK led by Sasikala to strengthen the party at the grass-roots level. Praising Nadars for their enterprising skills, he appealed to the community to support Mr. Panneerselvam.
Party member and former Speaker of the Assembly P.H. Pandian also urged the community to rally behind Mr. Panneerselvam stating that only he could provide Kamaraj-style governance.
Heaping praise on Kamaraj, Mr. Paneerselvam, in his speech, said the Nadar community was known for delivering the right verdict always, in a veiled appeal to support his faction.
DMK’s response
The statements of AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) were, however, soon countered by DMK MLAs led by K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, who took the stage after the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction left.
To drive home the point that the DMK has always been at the forefront in keeping the legacy of Kamaraj alive and supporting the interests of Nadar community, Rajapalayam MLA S. Thangapandian pointed out how the party always ensured that at least a few candidates from the community were fielded from Virudhunagar district in the Assembly elections. “The AIADMK has never done it,” he claimed.
Highlighting the hardship faced by many entrepreneurs from the Nadar community due to the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Tiruchendur MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan highlighted how DMK leader M. Karunanidhi took the community into confidence while implementing the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Tiruchuli MLA Thangam Thennarasu pointed out that it was during DMK’s tenure that Kamaraj’s birth anniversary was declared as ‘Kalvi Valarachi Naal’.
Inputs for budget
“Even during preparation of budgets, Kalaignar [Karunanidhi] consulted with trade bodies, in which the Nadar community had a dominant presence,” he said.
Minister of School Education and AIADMK (Amma) leader K.A. Sengottaiyan too lavished praise on Kamaraj and made a few announcements regarding his department.
TNCC office-bearer and MLA H. Vasantha Kumar and Tamil Maanila Congress senior leader and former MP N.S.V. Chithan were among others who garlanded the statue.