TAMIL TRIBUNE, March 1998 (ID. 1998-03-e)
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I was in the market for a personal computer a year ago. I went to a store that buys and assembles components to build a computer to your specifications. The salesman told me that if there were any problem with the computer during the first year they would repair it free within two business days. I wanted to check out their reputation and called the City Consumer Advocate's Office that keeps a log of complaints about each business. They told me that they have several complaints in their files about the store taking as much as three weeks to repair their computers during the one-year warranty period. Obviously their sales pitch had nothing to do with reality.

Election manifestos of political parties are like sales pitches. "You vote for our party. We will do this and that". Recently I read the election manifestos of the major Tamil parties with amusement and, in fact, with some amazement. Their promises seem to have nothing to do with reality. I give you two examples. The same is true with all political parties, whether it is the Tamil Manila Congress (TMC), the Congress Party or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) manifesto declares that it wants more powers allocated to states and also wants all national languages, including Tamil, be made the official languages of India. This party was a major partner in the United Front government that ruled India for two years. What did it do to achieve these goals? Nothing. Even if DMK were to become a partner in the next Indian government, nothing is going to happen. These election manifestos are not worth the paper they are printed on.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) manifesto also declares essentially identical goals with respect to powers to the states and official language. This party supported previous Congress governments at the center, and, in fact, the survival of Congress governments depended on the support of AIADMK during certain periods of time. Did AIADMK strike when the iron was hot and try to get concessions from Congress on these issues. No, it was quiet during those times. Same thing will happen again even if its present ally, the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) were to come to power. Again, these election manifestos and promises do not amount to anything.

Vote for whomever you like but remember that states are not going to get more power and Hindi imposition over Tamil Nadu will continue as always.

Inia Pandian, Editor

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