Tamil Nadu government formation: As suspense continues over Tamil Nadu's next government, an old video of the late Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan in Parliament explaining the complex reality of the Indian political system has gone viral on social media.
In the famous April 11, 1997 speech in Lok Sabha, Mahajan narrated an episode in which he lightheartedly explained the complexities of Indian democracy to a Chinese politician.
The iconic speech, which highlights Mahajan's enduring wit and political intelligence, is relevant at a time when TVK chief Vijay is seeking support from smaller parties to form a government in Tamil Nadu, despite making a blockbuster debut.
The famous 1997 Mahajan speech
During a parliamentary debate on democracy, the senior BJP leader recalled a conversation he had with a Chinese politician. To help the foreigner understand the complex reality of India's parliament, Mahajan introduced the politicians around him as an example.
Recently, an Indian parliamentary delegation went to China, Mahajan said.
"When we went to China, in the parliamentary delegation, ….. there some people asked how your democracy works because their parliament is different, their election method is different. Ramakant ji was our leader. We have an old friendship, so he told me to explain how democracy works and discuss it with them.
I told them that I would give them only the introductory details in this regard, Mahajan goes on.'
'I belong to the single-largest party and I am…'
"I am Pramod Mahajan. I am a Member of Lok Sabha. I belong to the single-largest party and I am in the opposition," says Mahajan evoking a laughter in the house.
The Chinese were left looking aghast, he says 'Is your party the single-largest party?' I said, 'Yes, we are the single-largest party in the House and we are in the opposition," he says
"Then I pointed out to Sriballav Panigrahi (Congress) and told them he belongs to the second-largest party. Though he is outside the government, yet he is supporting the government,"
"Then I pointed towards MA Baby (Left) and told them that he is the third-largest party. He is inside the Front but outside the government.," Mahajan said adding, "And then I said, he is Ramakant Khalap. He is the only Member of his party and he is in the government."
The iconic speech-which frequently goes viral online as a commentary on Indian political stalemates-highlighted how, in a coalition era, the number of seats a party held didn't necessarily dictate who actually held power.
And this is precisely what is happening in Tamil Nadu where a party - TVK led by Vijay - has made a failed attempt to stake claim at forming the government despite being the single-largest party.
Who was Pramod Mahajan?
Pramod Mahajan was one of the most influential leaders of the BJP, a minister and a Parliamentariain the 1990s and early 2000s.
Known for his sharp communication skills, political strategy and organisational abilities, he played a major role in expanding the BJP nationally during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era. Mahajan died in 2006 after being shot by his younger brother, Pravin Mahajan, in a shocking incident that stunned Indian politics.
Options for Vijay and TVK
Vijay's party, TVK, has won 108 seats emerging as single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly. In doing so, Vijay disrupted the traditional DMK-AIADMK duopoly in Tamil Nadu. But TVK fell short of the 10-seat threshold. Tamil Nadu Governor has asked Vijay to provide document proof that he has a majority of 118 seats in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay already has the support of 5 Congress MLAs, but he needs more to cross the magic number and take the oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. And if he succeeds in doing so, the GOAT actor will be the first non-DMK-non-AIADMK chief minister of Tamil Nadu in about six decades.