THE POPULISM WAR

It’s a war of populism quite literally. With the election manifesto of the two major Dravidian parties out in the open, the people of Tamilnadu have their task cut out. The onus is now on the common man to carefully sift through the bag of goodies from both these camps and make an informed decision. With what free electricity to the BPL families to free laptops to college students, people are literally spoilt for choice.

The Queen Bee of Tamilnadu Politics took everyone by surprise when she announced her party's manifesto for the 14th assembly elections in Tamilnadu. If the grand old man of Tamilnadu politics promised free wet grinders or mixies, Amma has gone a step further to not only provide those two but also a fan to every women in the state. And if you think that’s going to increase your electricity bill,well Amma has taken care of that too. She promises to provide three-phase power connection across the state in four years. Jayalalitha has a slew of measures up her sleeve to counter every single freebie from the ruling camp.

Fancy this, if Kalaignar promised free laptops to college students Amma has gone the extra mile to extend that facility to students of class eleven& twelve. Under Jayalalitha’s rule all the school students will get four set of uniforms as against the present three and not just uniforms they will be given a pair of shoes as well. The elderly too have been wooed by both the camps. With bus pass being common, the opposition is planning to set up free homes for the destitute and elderly.

And if its increase in subsidized diesel for fisherman by Kalaignar, Amma is proposing to set up a special protection force and offer an assistance of 4000 rupees during the lean periods. And as an alternative to the Kalaignar housing scheme, Amma is giving away free houses of 300 sq feet.

The electorate of Tamilandu has never had such a bonanza like this. With the political temperature soaring high, both the camps are expected to extend and modify their freebies and manifesto to capture people’s heart. Will the magic of wet grinder combined with mixie and fan win against the 30 kg rice will be known on the 13th of May.