By T.S.V. Hari, IANS
Madurai : Tamil actor Sarat Kumar inaugurated the first conference of his political party near here Sunday along with actor wife Radhika, carving a slightly different niche from the rest of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian flock.
The leaders of the Akila India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (All India Egalitarian People’s Party) demanded 33 percent quota for women “in all fields” and called on everyone to look at alternative routes for the controversial Sethusamudam shipping canal project.
“While I wholeheartedly support the (shipping canal) scheme because it will herald prosperity to the south, I also appeal to all to look at an alternative route because that would assuage the hurt feelings of many,” Sarat Kumar said, speaking at the party’s inaugural at Viraganur, eight kilometres from Madurai, on the banks of river Vaigai.
He was referring to the controversial path of the canal which, if adhered to, would destroy a bridge believed to have been built during the time of Hindu lord Ram.
“Madurai is a city that has rung changes at crucial times in the history of Tamil Nadu. I am sure that our first political conference will do the same. For a start, this party will fight for 33 percent reservation for women across the board in all fields,” Kumar’s wife Radhika said.
Kumar then turned to Sri Lanka, where violence linked to a Tamil separatist campaign has left thousands dead.
“It is high time the central government did something constructive to alleviate the sufferings of our Tamil brethren in Sri Lanka. The cause and the issue are dear to us,” he said.
Kumar made it clear that his party will not hurt the feelings of any section of the population and uphold a secular and progressive outlook.
“We stand by the unity and integrity of India and all our acts will prove that we will be working towards an egalitarian society,” the star added.
Although this temple town itself did not seem too worked up over Kumar’s foray into serious politics, the 50-acre plot on the banks of Vaigai was chock-a-block with a vast human multitude since the evening.
A little over 120 km south of here, in the port city of Tuticorin, Vijay Kant – the other major thespian player in politics – issued a call to all Tamils to learn other languages besides their mother tongue at a hugely attended public gathering the same day.
“Unless our brothers and sisters learn more languages, they will not be able to progress in life and career,” the actor said.
The two actors are claiming the legacy of the founder of the AIADMK – MGR.
But while Vijay Kant is referred to fondly by his party faithful as “black MGR”, Sarat Kumar has acquired a new epithet – “fair Kamaraj” – a reference to the mass leader by whose name not only the Congress party to which he belonged identifies itself but also the two major Dravidian parties on either side of the political spectrum also do.
Earlier in the day, the party conference opened to the accompaniment of frenzied applause and traditional south Indian music.
Kumar released dozens of disoriented doves into the air on the occasion to denote his party’s policy of individual freedom. Kept in thrall for sometime, some of the birds could not fly and fell amongst the media shutterbugs ringing the small specially erected platform.
Some 300 policemen and 600 private guards regulated the thousnads.
Kumar drove in a tempo traveller with an open roof behind a procession of dozens of party faithful carrying germinated seedlings of local plants to underline the greenness of the outfit.
Clad in a spotless dhoti with a border of ochre-yellow – his party colours — and half-sleeved shirt, Kumar sported two vermilion marks on his forehead indicating his theist background.
This was despite the fact that the invitation card for the event had featured a picture of the late rationalist leader Periyar prominently.
A senior party leader was nonplussed at the show of pomp and splendour.
“The money spent on this event – in the excess of Rs.30 million – could have help us run the party for at least two years. While one has to admit that all meetings of political parties too do this kind of spending, I am unable to see any justification for this splurge. If we have to tread the beaten track, how are we different than the rest?” he asked on the condition of anonymity.