Chennai: Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman’s 57th birthday on Wednesday saw a slew of political party leaders conveying their greetings to the self-styled Tamil nationalist who has been plowing a lonely furrow in electoral politics so far, triggering speculation that he might turn out to be a much sought after ally in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
Though it is common for the legions of well-wishers, fans, followers, and party cadre to greet Seeman not just on his birthdays, but otherwise, too, when a wide range of political leaders had kind words for him, ostensibly out of courtesy and etiquette, it gave rise to a suspicion of something happening more than it meets the eye in the political backstreets even as the parties gear up for the Lok Sabha polls.
A reason for such surmises is a rumour emanating from the NTK camp that a section of leaders have expressed the view that the party should stop fighting elections solo with no tangible results and join the alliance bandwagon so that at least it can be sent two representatives to the Lok Sabha in 2024 and make its presence felt outside the State.
While it is learnt that Seeman was not in favour of such a suggestion and would like to go it alone to prove his individuality and uphold his party’s unique position as an organisation propounding Tamil nationalism at any cost without diluting its basic ideology, some fear that he might be forced to succumb to the popular demand in the party.
So, if the NTK decides to join any of the coalition, most of them could welcome him as the party had polled 6.8 per cent votes in the 2021 Assembly elections. Since its vote share in the 2016 elections was just 1.66 per cent, the rapid growth in those five years could be a continuing trend even after 2021, many feel and expect it to command a much bigger vote share in 2024.
Already it was said that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswamy had sent feelers to Seeman, who had spurned the overtures for an electoral alliance. The other alliances, too, would not like to lose a sizable vote bank for in the event of a multi-cornered contest, which the 2024 electoral battle would be, the winning margin would be rather narrow.
It is now not clear as to how the final lineup will be and how many coalitions will be there. Apart from the DMK-led coalition, which might remain intact as part of the national-level INDIA alliance, there is the NDA, led by the BJP though it is not clear as to who else would be part of it. For, some smaller parties like the Puthiya Tamilagam and TMC have already expressed the view that fighting the elections with the AIADMK would have better prospects.
With Palaniswami digging in his heels – despite some top leaders of his party wanting to go hand in hand with the BJP – it is doubtful if those small parties would stick to the NDA or drift toward the AIADMK. Even the PMK wants a grand alliance under the NDA banner. So if Seeman says ‘yes’ to a tie-up, there could be too many suitors.
So, the flood of greetings on his birthday is seen as a prelude to such a situation. For, the list of those who wished Seeman a long life is quite long. Palaniswami, BJP State president K Annamalai, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, among others. Though the DMK leaders did not seem interested in greeting him, the fact that Makkal Needhi Maiyam founder Kamal Haasan greeted him is significant.
Kamal, too, had earlier ascended a high ground, vowing to go it alone in the elections, but has now climbed down to be an ally of the DMK. So the DMK could be keeping its channels open through Kamal. Of course, it is a different matter that both Kamal and Seeman are from the film industry and always maintain a bonhomie with Seeman greeting Kamal on his birthday the previous Tuesday.
Another member of the film fraternity who greeted Seeman was Vijay, who, too, could be taking a political plunge in the future.
