Buyers’ Remorse and by-elections in Tamil Nadu “Buyers’ remorse” could well describe the situation in Maduranthagam and Dharapuram, which are witnessing by-elections after the AIADMK candidates who won the constituencies joined the ruling TVK and resigned their posts. As consumers, we think twice before buying a product that has failed to meet our expectations. Yet, when it comes to elected representatives, we seem willing to watch them choose their own path and take voters for granted. Perhaps, in Indian democracy, all is fair once the votes have been counted.

Chief Minister Vijay and Khadi Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has asked people to patronise khadi products. But who is likely to follow the advice? It costs a lot to keep even Gandhi in poverty. Khadi products are relatively expensive, and the choice of ready-made khadi garments is limited. More importantly, is Mr. Vijay himself ready to follow his own advice? I doubt it. Politicians routinely pontificate on the virtues of government schools and hospitals. Yet many send their children to CBSE or ICSE schools, or institutions that follow international curricula, and rush to the best private hospitals when they fall ill. Some even run or manage private hospitals and schools catering to those who can afford them. We live in a society where politicians extol virtues they are not always willing to practise themselves. Perhaps the best course is to remain silent and live in peace.

No meeting of minds between Communists and the TVK The relationship between the two communist parties and the ruling TVK is, for all practical purposes, over. Their decision to field candidates in the Maduranthagam and Dharapuram constituencies makes this clear. There is hardly any meeting of minds between them now. Their assessment of the TVK has proved to be wrong. This is not merely a departure from the status quo; it marks a fundamental shift in their relationship.

Suffocating Chennai to death Either OMR or ECR would be an ideal location for a new Secretariat. The late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had planned one near Thiruvidandai. She subsequently shifted the proposal to Queen Mary’s College. Both proposals failed to materialise following stiff opposition. The DMK government constructed a new Secretariat on the arterial Anna Salai, but the building was subsequently abandoned by the AIADMK government. Mr. Stalin had plans to shift the Secretariat to Pooncheri, near Mamallapuram, but officials were not in favour of the proposal. The ruling class and bureaucracy prefer to live in the city, and their interests prevail over other considerations. They will not rest until Chennai is suffocated to death.

Left's confusion or calculation? The Left parties seem to be confused about their political priorities, fielding candidates against a government they are supporting from outside. I do not know what their political calculations are. Do they want to split the votes? But their stakes in these two constituencies are minimal. Yet they have entered the fray. Running against the current is a way of testing the waters.

When you visited me, I invited you by holding your hands. You expressed regret for your harsh remarks against me during the election campaign. I told you that I was not keeping anything in mind. I also told you to maintain dignity while commenting on others. But you seem to have forgotten it, says DMK president MK Stalin recalling Chief Minister Vijay's regret.

Thambi Vijay, my jaws were indeed broken in jail, says M.K. Stalin

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