India is known
for its rich diversity. One can find different people with different languages,
religions, customs, etc. living in this great country. This is mainly because, prior
to independence, there were various kingdoms under different rulers. Various
small kingdoms were stitched together to form a country – India.
India is
witnessing a steady growth of regional political parties. There is Abdulla in
J&K, Badal in Punjab, Mulayam in UP, Lalu in Bihar, Didi in WB, Pawar &
Thackeray (late) in Maharashtra, Naveen in Orissa, YSR (late) in AP and Karunanidhi
in TN. These modern ‘rulers’ ensured that they have a stronghold in their
respective regions. Multi-party system has its own merits and demerits. Merit
of fair representation and demerit of coalition compulsions and slow decision
making.
It’s been almost
seven decades since independence. So, the ‘kings’ or regional stalwarts started
passing on their batons to the next generation. Therefore, we are witnessing a ‘young
rule’ phenomenon in the recent past. Few instances, Uddhav, Stalin, Akhilesh
and so on and so forth. In many of these cases, the last born is the ‘Ultimate
Political Heir’. The elder sons are either sidelined or thrown out of the
political fray. In TN, MK Alagiri is a pity example of such sidelining. What
could be the reasons for such a phenomenon? I guess kadaa-kutti factor could be
responsible for this.
Unraveling Kadda-kutti
factor
Kadaa-Kutti - It is an informal Tamil word to describe the last born. The youngest
gets all the love and pamper from the parents as well as relatives. Even if a
last born makes any mischief, he or she will not be scolded badly. On the other
hand, first born and middle born are scolded rigorously, often to teach some
lessons to the last born. So, when it comes to politics, why the same rule
shouldn’t be applied? Therefore, this factor has a great influence while
deciding the political heirs. Also, the last born is generally perceived to be
good looking, intelligent, achievers, etc.
Now will this
turn out to be a productive move to the regional parties? Only time will tell,
but it’s indeed fascinating to notice such phenomenon spreading across all
regional parties.
