2019 proved that Tamil Nadu is the most progressive state in India. (Even far ahead of Kerala). Here are some incredible stories of this election from Tamil Nadu.
1) Dr Thol Thirumavalavan : Won after openly critiquing the Sanatana Dharma and Brahminical forces
Thol Thirumavalavan is a pure nightmare for the Sangh. He is the leader of Dalit panthers and he contested on his own symbol. With a campaign which he called uprooting Brahmanism & Sanatana dharma, he won from Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency. Remember his name.
2) Another story is the defeat of Anbumani Ramadoss (The leader of caste-privileged Vanniyars). In 2014, Anbumani of PMK allied with NDA and won Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency in a caste polarized atmosphere.
Dharmapuri was polarised in 2014 when a Dalit guy married a Vanniyar girl and the Dalit guy was killed by the girl's family. Ambumani supported the girl's family, polarized the constituency which has sizeable Vanniyars and won the election. He was defeated by DMK this time.
3) The victory of CPM's PR Natarajan in Coimbatore. Kanyakumari and Coimbatore has the highest Sangh voter base in Tamil Nadu. And AIADMK is stronger in Coimbatore as it is in Kongu Nadu. In 2014 election, AIADMK won the seat and BJP finished 2nd.
In 2014 election, AIADMK and BJP (1st & 2nd) had a combined vote share of 70%. DMK + CPM had just 20% votes.
In 2019 election, PR Natarajan of CPM backed by DMK won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency and defeated the BJP candidate backed by ADMK by a margin of 1.7 lakh votes
4) The victory of INC's Jothimani from Karur Lok Sabha constituency
Defeated the ultra rich M Thambidurai of AIADMK in his own stronghold (backed by Senthil Balaji).
Jothimani as a corporator has made efforts to make sure Dalits in her ward get water which was denied to them.
In short, Tamil Nadu has elected 4 communists, 1 Muslim, 1 Christian, 3 women (all poets) and 2 Dalit intellectuals (All Fire brand candidates)
Stalin and DMK went back to Dravidian grassroot politics and went for the kill. A course correction at a frighteningly pace. Amazing
There are many more stories.
CPM's Su Venkatesan from Madurai (an intellectual tour de force. His Keezhadi speeches are lit), DMK's Professor Thamizhachi Thangapandian from Chennai South and DMK's Dhanush M Kumar from Tenkasi.
So how does all this make Tamil Nadu more progressive than Kerala and all other states?
The impact of Dalit Politics.
As a historian (Military Historian), I would say course correction is something which every Empire Or political party is tad afraid of.
What is the meaning of Progressive in democratic terms?
IMO an Empire Or a nation where women and minorities (+ Dalits) are treated with respect and equality = truly progressive.
Now let's check whether Kerala is progressive as it is hailed. Let's analyse it
The demographic of Kerala is far different from any other Indian state.
Hindus : 55% are divided into Upper castes and Lower castes (Dalits and Ezhavas)
Minorities : 45%
Dalits and Ezhavas form 42% of the Population in Kerala. (Majority are LEFTs votebank)
Yes Kerala is progressive if you are an Upper Caste Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim or an OBC ezhava. (All four communities form 83% of Kerala's population)
Is Kerala progressive when it comes to Dalit Politics? NO
Is Kerala progressive in women empowerment? NO
This is where Tamil Nadu stands ahead of Kerala and the rest of India.
Kerala elected 19 MPs who were against the Sabarimala verdict which was a direct clash between Brahmanism & Dalit Identity.
Even Thirumavalavan himself said that the verdict must be implemented.
Kerala should ideally be introspecting its win & not flatter itself by drawing comparisons with Tamil Nadu
Ambedkar & Nehru would be proud of Tamil Nadu today. I don't think Ambedkar would be proud of Kerala though
So before anyone says Kerala is progressive, remember my words
