The 16th Tamil Nadu Assembly constituted in May 2021, in which the ruling DMK commands a majority of 133 of the 234 MLAs’, is unique insofar as it represents a wider array of opposition parties, covering virtually the entire spectrum of political parties, after ten long years.
Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, on assuming office as Chief Minister on May 7 this year, rightly sensing the value of the diversity of the House, began on a commendable democratic note, urging the opposition parties to be partners in building a strong and socioeconomically resilient Tamil Nadu.
"Mr. Stalin’s allusion to historicity of persons again came to the fore when he spoke of the Government’s decision to honor the five-time Chief Minister Kalaignar M Karunanidhi-one who lost no election, was elected to the House a record 13 times and for his untiring work for development of Tamil Nadu for eight decades-, with a fitting memorial on Marina sands within the memorial complex of Perarignar Anna."
Mr. M.K. Stalin was not being merely rhetorical when he made that appeal. He unwittingly took a leaf out of the 18th century celebrated Anglo-Irish political thinker and a veteran member of the British Parliament, Edmund Burke who is credited with the view that Government “should be a cooperative relationship” between the rulers and the ruled.
Knowing the effectiveness of a consensus approach, the Chief Minister not just stopped with coopting former Health Minister in the previous AIADMK regime, Dr C Vijaya Baskar in the multi-party ‘COVID-19 Advisory Committee’ in fighting the menacing second phase of the novel Coronavirus.
Stalin also promptly convened meetings of all the parties represented in the new Legislative Assembly on all crucial issues including on sensitive inter-state river water issues like Mekedatu dam. This consultative approach of Mr. Stalin acquired a sharper focus inside the Assembly too ever since the Governor’s Address to the first session of the House.
Name any quality for smooth and constructive running of the House- be it logical clarity in thought and speech, patience, courtesy, norms of parliamentary decency and grace in accommodating viewpoints of one and all without giving up one’s core positions- Chief Minister Stalin, with his face-mask meticulously on, is not found wanting in any of these.
As Chief Minister for the first time in the august Assembly, Stalin’s calm and reasoned approach to even ticklish issues was seen when he nonchalantly explained in the House, to queries of BJP member Nainar Nagendran and others, how there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional in referring to the Government of India as ‘Ondriya Arasu (Union Government), instead of ‘Centre’. Mr. Stalin said that ‘Union’ is the term used in the Constitution itself and more reflective of the Federalist spirit of India as a Union of States.
“Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength,” said Edmund Burke in one of his famous quotes, cited while discussing Parliamentary Practice. Mr. Stalin seems to have an innate grasp of the efficacy of a patient and tolerant approach, while participating in the Assembly proceedings.
“We will press for an AIIMS-like medical facility for Coimbatore also,” Stalin told another BJP MLA, to dispel impressions of ‘Kovai Mandalam’ being ignored. Similar was his approach on expanding the Metro rail outside Chennai. Such courteous replies in the ongoing budget session have lent a refreshing dimension to engaging with Opposition.
The DMK, as a political inheritor of the Justice Party tradition has always, besides urged more powers to the States, been emphasizing on the historical dimensions for better understanding of any issue. The Chief Minister’s sensitivity to the historical aspects of institutions and the role of exceptional individuals came forth on quite a few occasions in the first 100 days of the present DMK regime
For instance, on August 2, when President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a wonderful life-size portrait of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, ‘Muthamizharignar Kalaignar M Karunanidhi in the Assembly Hall, M.K. Stalin fleshed out the significance of the occasion coinciding with the centenary of the Tamil Nadu Legislature. Stalin pointed out how the erstwhile Madras Legislative Council cradled several progressive legislations like those related to social justice (Reservation to the backward and depressed classes) and other issues which are now hailed all over India.
Mr. M.K Stalin’s allusion to historicity of persons again came to the fore when he spoke of the Government’s decision to honor the fivetime Chief Minister Kalaignar M Karunanidhione who lost no election, was elected to the House a record 13 times and for his untiring work for development of Tamil Nadu for eight decades-, with a fitting memorial on Marina sands within the memorial complex of Perarignar Anna
Again Mr. M.K Stalin was on spot when he moved a thoughtful resolution in the House on August 23 to honour the veteran DMK leader, Mr. Durai Murugan, who joined the hallowed list of MLAs associated with the Assembly for 50 years. “He has been my elder brother and guide for many years,” M.K Stalin said, turning towards a visibly emotional Durai Murugan, in a humble acknowledgement of a senior colleague’s role.
Mr. M.K Stalin has also refused to be provoked by barbs by some Opposition MLAs’ including former Ministers, on issues like the Kodanad estate case or about misinformation about the place in Madurai where the Government has planned to build a modern library in honor of ‘Kalaignar’.
When AIADMK former minister Sellur Raju alleged that the house in which John Pennycuick, the architect of Mullaperiyar dam had lived was to be pulled down for the library project, Mr Stalin urged the members not to spread misinformation but place the facts before the house. The PWD had already clarified that it was not the house of Pennycuick. “If the members showed evidence to back their claims, the government is willing to consider,” he said. This courtesy and openness in his interactions has been another significant facet of Mr. M.K Stalin’s latest tenure in the House.
The Chief Minister has also been quick to act on constructive suggestions by members, particularly those in the interests of ecology. His nod to approach the Speaker, Mr. M. Appavu when the finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan mooted switching over to presenting an E-budget and digitizing all the budget documents for the first time this year to save on paper, is a good case in point.
Mr. M.K Stalin also firmly told the DMK MLAs’ and ministers not to sing paeans to their leader every time they spoke or introduced a Bill in the House. If the Ministers wished to thank their ‘mentors’, they could do so while replying to the debate on the demands for grants pertaining to their departments, he made clear in a whiff of fresh air.
