TN row: Be prudent, wait for SC verdict

Chennai’s movie scriptwriters, famous for their tearjerkers, would have struggled to think up the constantly changing scenarios that have shaken up Tamil Nadu’s politics leading to a no-holds barred game of thrones battle. In his late-night revolt on Tuesday at Jaya’s memorial at Marina Beach, caretaker CM O. Panneerselvam has shaken up the AIADMK, known for allegiance to a single leader. But if numbers finally prevail, it’s apparent that Sasikala, who displaced OPS as AIADMK legislature party leader, is a clear winner as she appears to command the loyalty of over 95 per cent of 134 MLAs in a House of 234 legislators.

The Damocles sword of the much-awaited Supreme Court verdict hanging over Sasikala has turned what is otherwise a cut and dried proposition into a most piquant situation. The governor, accused of ducking the issue by staying away from Chennai on the grounds that he is also Maharashtra’s constitutional head, is obviously buying time to see if the Supreme Court verdict comes quickly enough to clear the air either way on Sasikala. Whatever his decision after studying the situation, the least one expects of the governor is that he faces up to his constitutional responsibility to meet the key players in the Chennai power drama.

In belatedly revealing that his resignation as CM was “coerced” by Sasikala and MLAs and others supporting her after having himself proposed Sasikala’s name as leader of the legislature party, OPS had not strengthened his case for reclaiming his post full time. His insistence on an opportunity to prove his majority in a floor test is based more on optimism and is political posturing rather than a reflection of reality. However, the governor, who has to try and ensure a stable government, can show discretion in timing his acceptance of Sasikala’s claim and hold her swearing-in on a date after the Supreme Court verdict in the disproportionate assets case is delivered. Jayalalithaa’s controversial 2001 swearing-in in similar legal circumstances in the same DA case looms as a glaring warning against haste.

The Constitution of any country is a reflection of its morals and ethical values. Its spirit should be of far greater import than even its wording. The pragmatism of not plunging Tamil Nadu into further chaos as it happened in Jayalalithaa’s incarceration in the same 21-year-old assets case might be a consideration bigger than the tearing hurry to anoint an ambitious individual who would have every right in law to become chief minister provided, of course, that she is declared absolved of serious charges by the Supreme Court. A week might be a very long time in politics but isn’t so in the cosmic scale of things. In such circumstances, it would be wiser to be prudent.