1. Did the due diligence of glorifying MGR and JJ well enough, but seemed keen to move on and set the new party
2. Pulled a good balancing trick of precariously positioning party ahead of self, but keeping the emerging self image intact
My Notes on Tamil Nadu Politics Part 4
EPS-OPS SPEECH IN THE AIADMK GEN COUNCIL.
From these speeches, I am picking up some undercurrents and seeing AIADMK's positioning of themselves in the election procession.
I am also analysing long term impacts of this.
1. Did the due diligence of glorifying MGR and JJ well enough, but seemed keen to move on and set the new party
2. Pulled a good balancing trick of precariously positioning party ahead of self, but keeping the emerging self image intact
4. Craftily directed criticisms/ allegation of corruption towards the party,
5. Spoke to the workers like a captain in the battlefield in clear, simple and categorical terms - setting expectations on them, setting the tone, agenda and approach
Did not even mention the schemes @AmitShah inaugurated. No love left from that function in November.
While never missing an achievement of own government and invoking the dead leaders,
7. Showed clearly his style as organisational leader - similar to Amit Shah's style except populist measures.
a. Basic Maths (booth level numbers, vote to seat conversion, voters list)
b. Chemistry (alliances, seat sharing based on vote share, regions, influence, trends)
c. Physics (applies law of good performance = votes)
e. Economics (freebies, populist announcements, welfare measures)
He doesn't fare bad in any of the above subjects except Chemistry.
~ Booth level presence through the party's branches in the remotest villages
~ Four wings - Youth, Women, IT, Booth Committee
~ Five Groups in each booth - 9 members per group = 45 FOS each booth
~ 45 people for 100 families, 3+ months for campaign, all promotional material to be centrally produced and supplied.
What does the total score sound like? To me, a 'WINNER'
1. Looked like he is eerily lost in time and is desperate to relive JJ era. Didn't say one sentence without mentioning 'Amma'
2. Did not credit EPS for his stellar work, nor was he mentioned more than once
To me, this can mean only three things:
Wants to show his power in his own standing. Looks like his wounds are not healed yet.
Heart of heart, OPS knows he is equally good if not better CM. He did start very well of course.
After all, we know EPS 1.0 (with Shashikala) and EPS 2.0 (The current leader, performing CM).
We don't know if there will be an EPS 3.0 and if yes, what he would look like.
If he has to split the party in future (after the elections), then he wants to carry the legacy of Jayalalithaa and preferably the party symbol.
He is strong in Theni and southern constituencies.
This could be a signal to his Thevar voters who may be charged up post the DMK Stalin's insult of Thevar Aiyya.
What are the longer term impacts of these and what does this mean to BJP?
This is realignment and in some ways course correction of this ever adapting party. Whether it wins or loses, the party is ready to rebuild.
We cannot have two parties with similar outlook, character, and energy.
I said party is 'ready to rebuild'. Haven't said if that is possible. If EPS loses now, rebuild will be a tough call for the party.
I wouldn't ordinarily expect BJP to come to power in 2026. But with the kind of work done by Dr @Murugan_TNBJP , and @annamalai_k 's mass appeal gives hope. Annamalai has gone to 130 Constituencies in under 3 months,
Such meticulous footwork, style, technique, and craft can make anything possible.
- EPS 2.0 and Kanimozhi.
If reelected, EPS will be a tough statesman, a tougher politician to deal with.
So, BJP will need to keep the EPS - OPS fault line intact and hit it when needed.
Great orator.
Looks like she is trained by the west in the art of public speaking.
Patient, steady mountain goat.
Simple, approachable, and assertive.
