Time for local polls in TN- Political games as usual

Looks like going by the press and media reports the Chennai Corporation polls have again witnessed one of the most violent local polls ever with booth capturing, rigging, impersonation incidents hitting an all time high. Both the Dravidian parties are throwing mud at each other and ' AMMA' is already in the process of appealing to the High Court to declare the elections as null and void. Some of the scenes I saw in TV in front of polling booths in Chennai would even put stunt masters like Super Subbarayan and Pepsi Vijyan to shame and would have been an ideal shoot for a kollywood crime thriller. It's sad and a national shame that such incidents can happen right in front of helpless police officials and polling officers and goes to prove how much of money and power must be at stake even to win even small wards and councils within the corporation.

The difference between the assembly and local polls is while the former comes under control of the National Election commission which today is a much feared body thanks to one 'TN Seshan' the latter is under the purview of the State Government and so naturally the ruling party is bound to flex it's muscles since the stakes are high. As the Late Kamarajar had said once both the parties come from the same' kuttai' and to expect anything ethical or 'Gandhigiri turn around' in their approach is an unlikely dream which would never happen unless TN voters can find a credible alternative to these parties.

RK