Vaiko’s ugly jab at M Karunanidhi

Even before warming up amid the tugs and pulls of alliance parleys, the campaign for the May 16 election in Tamil Nadu hit rock bottom, or so it seems. The author of this sad soliloquy is none other than the “unpredictably emotional” MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who, on Wednesday, advocated that DMK chief M. Karunanidhi could practise “the oldest profession in the world”. He later issued an apology saying he meant no disrespect to his political mentor, but that was hardly convincing.

“When I said shifting parties after taking money has been a dirty job just like the oldest profession in the world, I did not refer to Kalaignar (Mr Karunanidhi) or his family. I swear this on my late mother Mariammal, whom I worship,” Mr Vaiko said in that apology statement.

Irrespective of his clarification, it is clear that when he recommended the “oldest profession” to Mr Karunanidhi, he was not referring to weavers, farmers, traders or anything else.

“I am talking about another profession, the most famous that is practised across the world even from the days of the earliest man. Many are even demanding that it could be legalised; they could practise that. Kalaignar can do it, they could also do it,” Mr Vaiko had said at his explosive press conference.

The remarks have caused a furore in the political corridors while also setting social media afire. “Vaiko’s statement crosses the limits of all decency. All social activists must come together and condemn him, even create a Facebook page for this. It is total lack of culture on the part of a man who claims to stand for Tamil nationalism and culture,” political commentator T.N. Gopalan told this newspaper.

DMK spokesman T.K.S. Elangovan called Mr Vaiko “a mentally disturbed person” who betrayed “Kalaignar who created him (politically) and made him MP for 18 years”.

Mr Vaiko’s allies appear to be squirming. Some, like the Marxists, said his statement targeting Karunanidhi on the basis of his caste (Nadaswaram players) was condemnable, thereby conveniently pushing under the carpet the “oldest profession” jab. Some others said Mr Vaiko apologised and things could rest there.