After a long time in the Dravidian land, Brahmin politicians have gained power in the government.
In Tamil Nadu politics, after 39 years, two Brahmins have been given ministerial positions.
In Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s cabinet, MLAs from the Brahmin community, Venkataramanan and Ramesh, have taken oath as ministers.
Venkataramanan, who won from Chennai Mylapore, has been allotted the Food and Civil Supplies Department, while Srirangam MLA Ramesh has been given the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
After Jayalalithaa, no Brahmin had won as an MLA and entered the Assembly. Under the DMK government, Brahmins had no representation at all.
In the political history of Tamil Nadu, only a handful of Brahmin ministers and two Brahmin Chief Ministers have held power.
Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, and J. Jayalalithaa had become Chief Ministers.
Apart from them, during Kamaraj’s administration, R. Venkataraman held a ministerial post, and during MGR’s tenure as Chief Minister, H. V. Hande became a minister.
Now, CM Vijay has made the eyes of Dravidianists turn red by giving representation to two Brahmins in his cabinet.
What is noteworthy is that the two Brahmin MLAs who are now ministers had stood firmly behind Vijay from the very beginning of TVK.
Venkataramanan is an auditor by profession, while Ramesh worked in the software industry before entering politics.
To those accusing CM Joseph Vijay of doing religious politics, Vijay has given a political reply in return.
Another important point is that by giving ministerial positions to four women MLAs, he has responded to Dravidian parties that merely spoke in favor of women’s rights without substantial action.
CM Joseph Vijay appears to be skilled in political strategy.
— Shobha Malavalli
