By the Editor: Siddharth Sehgal

I have heard of hostile takeover before but never heard of a hostile takeover in an unhostile way. Sasikala’s rocket launch to party president and claim to CM post outlines the extent to which Jaylalitha controlled AIADMK, that there is no one left with enough spine to address the elephant in the room.

Political parties can be run like a family business, Congress has been doing that shamelessly for decades,  it’s not right but that’s how things work for some people. What is unacceptable is that state or countries are run like a family enterprise. It is time tested, disastrous, stigma of Indian politics that those close to the one on top like to fill his shoes when the boss goes away but in Tamil Nadu’s case it’s more outrageous in the sense that people don’t want Sasikala in CM’s chair and AIADMK is trying to force this person upon them. But sometimes one wonder why she’d risk such a move and stake claim for the chief minister-ship when she has a verdict pending in a corruption case moreover she can easily rule from behind, profit from her party-president position and enjoy the mansion at poes garden all to herself. But greed as they say is all too powerful, whoever advices her on these matters is probably planning her political doom.

Panneerselvam may not be the best choice for CM but he has some political experience and has held ministerial post. He has survived in a party which was ruled by Amma with an iron fist. He seems like Manmohan Singh of AIADMK, in a way he seems least harmful of his fellow party men. Which is why people have a feeling of sympathy towards him, where and how far this sympathy goes remains to be seen. Although, by the time you’ll read this article more MLA’s might have supported OPS cause.

This drama has opened old sores of cronyism that plagues Indian politics, people’s wishes and interest are sidelined for power, money and positions which leaves a huge blank in Indian Politics. It gives a feeling that people were deserted by their elected officials. The car, the bungalows, the lure of trappings that comes with an important public position is just too powerful for these people. A truthful lawyer and honest politician are figment of imagination. Until we look into ourselves and do an honest introspection, we will continue to bear the burden of our Sasikalas, Mayawatis or Mamtas.