What next?? (or should it be who)

Tamil Nadu's political scenario is at a very interesting juncture even though there are no assembly elections scheduled (immediately) and neither is a major rearrangement in the alliances imminent. More than the present, it is the future which intrigues me, more specifically the immediate future. It would provide a perfect setting for a political thriller and may be we can even expect to see a Iruvar-2 from Maniratnam. Only that, unlike in Iruvar, the sequel's story would be far more complex and the screenplay naturally more racy. Its not merely the fact that it is in the 'future' that makes it interesting, but the nature of Tamil Nadu politics that adds more flavor to the possibilities.
With the political retirement of Dr. Kalaignar not very far off, irrespective of whether it comes naturally or otherwise, the political future of the DMK and along with it that of Tamil Nadu is about to enter a very decisive phase. 'Who after Dr. Kalaignar' would perhaps be the most difficult question to answer at least for the moment and the answer I believe is not straight forward. I can still manage to think of a few possibilities each one more interesting than the other, but what finally happens could not only turn out be different but also, much much more interesting.
According to me, Mr. M.K Stalin starts off as firm favourite to lead the DMK, but his road to the 'coveted' chair could be extremely difficult and challenging. If due to some reason, he is not anointed as the next leader by Dr. Kalaignar, the going could get very tough, though he would still remain as my favourite to lead. Even if he is named as the heir by the man himself, things might only be marginally easier and much of the ease would be perhaps restricted to the psychological level. Mr. M.K Stalin might not enjoy wide spread acceptance immediately but I think he can pull it off. Perasiriyar, Mr. K Anbazhagan has also given Mr. Stalin the green signal. A few years ago, while addressing a public meeting, he said he had no doubts whatsoever about the fact that 'Thalapathi' would lead the DMK in a fair and just manner. He added that he did not have the same confidence on Dr. Kalaignar when he took over the reigns of the party from Mr. Annadurai way back in 1969. This statement coming from the 'clean face' of the party is a big shot in the arm for Mr. Stalin.
Knowing Dr. Kalaignar's deep sense of respect and affection for Perasiriyar, the possibility of Mr. Anbazhagan being named the next Chief Minister cannot be completely overlooked. This would happen only if Dr. Kalaignar decides to step down from the Chief Minister's post a year ahead of the assembly elections and pull off a Jyothi Basu act himself. I would not give even a smidgen of a chance, but it is a possibility nevertheless.
Even if we accept the fact that it would be Mr. Stalin after Dr. Kalaignar, the twists and turns that the sub-plot could have in store for us is mind boggling. The rise of Mr. Stalin has not been accepted with equanimity and grace by all in the party, specifically not by his brother Mr. M.K Azhagiri. While Mr. M.K Azhagiri is a force to reckon with in regions near Madurai, his influence and power is not very perceptible outside. This notwithstanding, Dr. Kalaignar would do nothing to enter the bad books of his elder son which was amply demonstrated even recently when the Maran brothers were not allowed to meet the Chief Minister to wish him on his birthday. Grapevine has it that this incident was a result of specific orders to Dr. Kalagnar from Mr. Azhagiri which 'fore bade' him to even meet the Maran brothers let alone exchange pleasantries.
Dr. Kalaignar is amongst the best brains on the political circuit in India at the moment and it wouldn't need an amateur to shed light on the political future of his family and the DMK, both of which are intertwined inseparably. I wouldn't imagine Mr. Azhagiri to take any drastic step even in the eventuality that Mr. Stalin comes to be the leader of the DMK with a definitive chance of being the Chief Minister some time in the future even if not immediately. But, Mr. Stalin's perceived closeness with the Maran family might affect the party adversely as it would certainly rub Mr. Azhagiri and his supporters on the wrong side. The wrath of Mr. Azhagiri would be the last thing Mr. Stalin would want to contend with especially immediately after taking over the reigns from his father. He would certainly acknowledge the fact that his brother is no push over and maintaining cordial relations with him would hold the party in good stead. Given that, the Maran brothers also wield considerable influence over the party and if vernacular magazines are to be believed, they have control over 45 MLA's in the current assembly.
The ascent to the throne may turn out to be easy for Mr. Stalin, but the road ahead is certainly not a bed of roses. If he is able to hold together and manage the party as well as his father did, given his adversaries, he would be a very happy man when his hey days are over.
The above story merely restricts itself to internal rivalries and problems, but on the political arena no opponents can be rubbished off. But, that's for another time.
As I complete this piece of 'scrawling' to flip through the day's newspaper, a headline reads "DMK to review ties with PMK" and with this, the very first sentence of this blog goes right out of the window, such is the ever changing nature of politics that makes it so interesting!!!