From correspondents in Tamil Nadu, India, 01:31 AM IST
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Tuesday blew hot and cold at Wednesday's day-long Left-sponsored general strike by announcing moral support to it and obliquely referring to the caste of a senior leader of the Communist Party of India-Marxist derisively in a statement.
'Though the government will accord moral support to the strike called by the communist parties, essential services like buses will not be affected,' an official press communique said.
In a cryptic poem aimed at the Left and blaming its leaders for letting him down badly, Karunanidhi derisively referred to the Brahmin caste of some of the main CPI-M leaders by saying 'Avaal enraale savaal than' (Brahmins always mean challenges).
Left leaders, however, were amused.
'We have been fighting for an egalitarian society sacrificing more than the CM by keeping away from the trappings of power so blatantly pursued by the DMK and its leader, who alternated between the United Front, UPA (United Progressive Alliance) and NDA (National Democratic Alliance) at different times,' said a communist legislator speaking to IANS requesting anonymity.
'Of course, our principled stand will always pose a challenge to Karunanidhi who sometimes refers to himself as a communist when it suits him,' he said.
The Left had extended an olive branch to the DMK by inviting its president and chief minister karunanidhi to join the proposed national Third Front Friday.
'Political equations have undergone a sea change after 2004 and therefore Karunanidhi should weigh his political options more carefully,' N. Varadarajan, state CPI-M secretary, said on the Independence Day.
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Let DMK and CPI do what they want and uplift Tamilnadu at least first time since DMK ADMK came to power with chauvinist rhetoric. But Thiru Manbu Miku (honorable Mr)Karunanidhi should avoid referring to castes and highlighting Brahmins.
The acrimony going on between Karunanidhi and some reps. of CPIM of TN is hardly of much real interest to most readers, but for the communal colour of Mr K's utterances. Of course his entire long political life has been marked by this vile smelling style but merely slurred over by the populace for his titillating Tamil oratory. Fortunately, the emphasis in Tamil politics these days seems less gaudy verbiage and sense with lots of nonsense marks it. Leadership crisis is acute still.But the earlier awakening, the better for TN to be ready to be reabsorbed in Indian mainstream politics.
This news condemns one whose support is so unfortunately treasured by the UPA govt. for its survival.Shame on the most rabid casteist among Indian politicians, Mr Karunanidhi.
There are Brahmins in Karunanidhi's DMK itself. Even if Brahmins are Aryans, according to K.,then Dravidians are spread all over India. It can be argued that Dravidian-Aryan fusion, India would have been barren in literature, philosophy, national strength and emotional unity with religion, everything.
Politically Mr Karunanidh is no rightist, leftist or centrist.He is a rank opportunist to benefit himself and his party colleagues and relatives,joining anywhere in the political spectrum.He is an overgrown child with mere communal and linguistic prejudices.
Mr Karunanidhi,under inspiration of Mr.EV Ramasami,sometimes called Periyar or Mahaan by anti Brahmin sections, never looked beyond casteism and continues to this day to be jealous of the poor Brahmins of TN for surviving despite harsh discrimination and vituperation politically supported.He cannot talk of politics except in terms of casteism and language, North South,Aryan Dravidian and his own relatives.COmmunists thought he was Leftist,etc.
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