Chennai:Even at the best of times, Congress prospects in Tamil Nadu depended on its allies. In a state ruled by linguistic patriotism, Congress has very little to offer to the voters. K Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa have been competing to be the guardian of Tamil patriotism. Sri Lankan Tamils mattered more for the electorate than Na-Mo or Ra-Ga. The rainbow alliance BJP has cobbled might help but marginally. But the ground reality is AIADMK under Jayalalithaa is going to sweep Tamil Nadu. Â Â Â Â Â
The debut of the 42-year-old lawyer, Karti Chidambaram, is unlikely to make any difference, even if he is the son of Union finance minister C Chidambaram. The only way Karti could win is to have a back-door understanding with one of the dominant parties – AIADMK or DMK. Stalin’s aversion for Congress is just recent, but Amma’s aversion for Congress is long-standing. But if Karti is able to break the ice and strike a deal with any one of the parties, he has a better chance of winning. Otherwise, Karti will be mere statistics for electoral casualties.   Â
Mani Shankar Aiyar, Rajya Sabha MP, has shown political courage in agreeing to contest from Mayiladuthurai, a seat he held for 10 years before losing there to the AIADMK in 2009.
But Union shipping minster G K Vasan and former minister K V Thangkabalu have decided not to contest again. Almost a year ago, Finance Minister Chidambaram has revealed in a television interview that he will not seek re-election in 2014. But to call it running away is anything but the truth.