The Hindu : Hostile reaction forced PMK to declare truce?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 20, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Hostile reaction forced PMK to declare truce?

By S. Dorairaj

CUDDALORE AUG. 19. People, particularly those in the Vanniyar heartland have heaved a sigh of relief at the ceasefire declared by the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Rajnikant Rasigar Manram over the ``Baba'' controversy which they apprehended would have thrown normal life out of gear in the State had it been allowed to continue.

Close on the heels of the PMK founder, Dr. Ramadoss' announcement yesterday that the ``issue was over'' in view of the party president, G. K. Mani's statement that he (Dr. Ramadoss) would face any legal action to be initiated by Mr. Rajnikant, the manram chief, K. Sathyanarayana, appealed to the fans not to criticise the former or his party.

However, the sudden development has raised eyebrows. Though the exact reason for the ceasefire is not known in the absence of any explanation from both sides, various theories on the ``slumping of the tussle'' are doing the rounds.

Actually, the tirade launched by Dr.Ramadoss against the tinsel world in general and Mr. Rajnikant in particular, at the women's wing meet of the Vanniyar Sangam at Poompuhar on August 13, evoked mixed reactions.

One of the possible factors for the change of strategy is the PMK's near-total isolation in the political arena. None of its National Democratic Alliance allies backed it on the issue. In fact, its closest ally, BJP flayed Dr. Ramadoss for his views against Mr. Rajnikant. Its national secretary, L. Ganesan, condemned the attacks on theatres screening ``Baba'', besides endorsing the filmstar's remarks against the forest brigand, Veerappan.

Though the DMK, another ally, kept an equidistance from the two sides, with the party chief, M. Karunanidhi, merely advising that the war of words be not allowed to lead to violence. Though the PMK's arch-rival, the Dalit Panthers of India, expressed sentiments about Mr. Rajnikant, similar to what was aired by Dr. Ramadoss, the party also distanced itself from the former's attack on ``Baba''. The PMK campaign also incurred the wrath of the film world. Only some fringe groups and caste outfits supported the PMK leader on the issue.

As the police warned of stringent action against those who tried to disturb the peace, several PMK men, who allegedly indulged in acts such as taking away the film reels of ``Baba'', attacking cinema houses and assaulting theatre managers, were arrested and remanded in different parts of the State.

Dr. Ramadoss himself might have felt that things were slipping through his fingers, though his criticism against Mr. Rajnikant could have been a ``pre-emptive move'' with the limited purpose of weaning away Vanniyar youth, most of whom were the actors' fans, as rumours were afloat that his entry into politics was round the corner.

At a time when the PMK was trying to refurbish its image as a party which believed in constructive programmes such as desilting tanks and planting trees, the abduction of a theatre manager at Vriddhachalam, theft of the film reels from a Jayamkondam cinema and arson at the house of a fans' association functionary in Villupuram, would definitely defeat its very purpose, according to insiders in the PMK's front organisations.

All these factors might have resulted in Dr.Ramadoss declaring the ceasefire, they say.

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