The recent political developments in Uttar Pradesh showcases, in a fantastic manner, precisely the differences between Mulayam Singh Yadav and Karunanidhi. Mulayam won where Karuna lost.
To start with, there are many similarities between Mulayam and Karunanidhi. Both have been very strong regional leaders and have, on many occasions, dictated the terms at the centre. Both fight against women chief ministers who chose to remain single and with whom both of them do not see eye to eye. Both have extended families, occupying primary party positions. Both have always played the minority card (Mulayam – Muslim, Karuna - Dalit) to garner votes.
So where did Karuna lose and Mulayam win?
MK, was always behind power. He could not control himself from relinquishing the chief ministership. He has been at the helm from 1967 and recently lost the election to his arch nemesis Jayalalitha. The way he became the chief minister, after Anna’s death and the steps that he took to thwart MGR’s plans are part of folklore. It is precisely in this move that Karuna failed. Now, he has his 2 sons who can’t stand each other, his daughter, his grand-nieces and his grand –daughters and grandsons who have become power-centers inside the party. Had he made Stalin (his son who is seen as heir-apparent) the chief minister when DMK came to power the last time, things would have been definitely different. The ugly family politics, that has now come to be associated with MK’s family, would not have come out in the open. Now, with reformed Jayalalitha (that is what everyone believes after the ouster of Sasikala) in power, and another four years to go, and with MK’s health condition, it is not sure if he could contest the next election. Only until MK is active, will DMK remain a force to reckon with. Even if MK is active and DMK wins the next election, the party would not fade into oblivion, only if MK relinquishes his dearest chief ministership and appoints someone as CM. Only such an act would send a strong message to the existing power centers in the party.
Mulayam,on the other hand, was shrewd, to make his son the chief minister, when his party won fabulously. He had a tough job, in convincing his brother and other senior leaders, but, he made sure the power remained inside his house. When looking at the cabinet closely, it can be easily ascertained that while Akhilesh is the CM, the cabinet is full of Mulayam loyals, right from Azam Khan to Raja Bhaiyya. It’s a win-win situation for Mulayam, where he has retained power as well as made his son CM ahead of his brother and other party seniors. If he had not done that, Mulayam would have become another Karuna.
Its another sad note that politics is a family business. You can read that here.
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