Jayalalitha

The vanniyars' case for a separate state stands on loose ground. The movement, nevertheless draws attention to the current absence of a rallying point for a caste-based party in the context of the strengthening multi-caste, multi-party nature of electoral politics.

It is no secret that there is no branch of 'futurology' from which Jayalalitha, now getting ready for the Great Return, does not seek guidance, no action, votive offering or placatory ritual she will not undertake to nullify evil influences and promote good fortune. Her latest consultants are experts in vaastu, the sastra dealing with propitious planning, positioning and structuring of buildings and the like. The result has affected a certain statue in Chennai, a 40- year old landmark in the city.

While the AIADMK vote share has gone up significantly, corruption charges against Jayalalitha were not vote-catching slogans. After all, the AIADMK under Jayalalitha has emerged as a 'rural industry' which has become a channel for 'money circulation' that the party manages to mobilise while in power. Its return to power has much to do with ensuring a return to status quo, especially in the western industrial regions of the state. Nevertheless, the poll results are likely to bring about changes in the political landscape, because it is now clear that populist mobilisation based on the dichotomy of anti-Aryanisation versus Dravidian nativity will no longer yield results.