Unity in diversity, for now

The Cauvery Rights Retrieval Rally, the DMK’s brainchild, has created an unusual unity among the DMK and the other political parties that are part of it. Even the State unit of the CPI(M), which has had a mixed sort of relationship with the DMK, has firmly rallied around M.K. Stalin’s effort.

Broadly, the parties that are friendly to the DMK now are the Congress, the CPI, the CPI(M), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and a few other small groups. Still, the PMK, the DMDK and the TMC are charting their own course.

While snap polls to the Tamil Nadu Assembly do not seem to be an immediate prospect, the question that is being asked is whether these political parties would continue to work together on an anti-BJP agenda and fight a poll together.

VCK general secretary Ravikumar, for instance, says the unity among the parties on the Cauvery issue is likely to continue, to the detriment of the BJP. But he cautions that the DMK should not construe the anti-BJP sentiments as support for its efforts alone. Such an interpretation might affect cohesiveness among the parties that are part of the movement, he says.

“I could see a groundswell against the BJP in Tamil Nadu and the AIADMK government, which is seen as a silent partner of the Centre in all its plans,” says Mr. Ravikumar.

Testifying to the undercurrent of divisions among the State’s parties, Mr. Ravikumar asks: “I wonder why Mr. Stalin has extended support to the bandh organised by the PMK on Monday when the motive of the latter is to actually disturb the present unity among us. What prevented the PMK from participating in our protests if it is really interested in upholding the rights of Tamil Nadu?”

Former DMK minister Thangam Thennarasu, however, insists: “Though the entire movement is aimed at securing Tamil Nadu’s rights, our leader has not only succeeded in bringing together major political parties on a united platform but has sustained their unity on a vital issue.”