Thiruvarur By-Polls a litmus test for DMK chief M. K. Stalin | NationAt9

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter. That was the patrionising tone set by Winston Churchil. India stands the test that he was wrong. A writer Alan more once wrote, people shouldn't be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people. In 2016, the people of Tamil voted for J Jayalalithaa. Despite the disproportionate assets case, for which her aide Sasikala is in jail, Jayalalithaa was returned to power with a thumping mandate. India lost her to illness. What followed was resort politics, horse trading, party politics, splits and total governance limbo. The people could do nothing. When the Tamil people came out on marina beach in protest over Jallikattu, they had to physically make their voice heard after their representatives were too busy hanging on to power. A re-election was never called. When Jaya's constituency went to vote, it was racked by charges of poll buying, the vote called off. 18 MLA’s disqualified after joining TTV ranks, by polls still not held. Then india lost karuna. Now over his seat in Thiravarur, by polls have been called. But it's now apparent that starting with the AIADMK of the EPS faction, Tamil neta dom seems to be fearing the voter. They don't want to give them a chance. They're scared how a by poll defeat may look right before a crucial general election. Stalin, who's been busy declaring support for Rahul, is yet to face the people's mandate as party chief. The AIADMK, looking at annihilation doesn't want the people to vote. Kamal Haasan is still not sure, Rajnikanth has been toying with it for too long, we still don't know whether he's a Neta or not. The people of Tamil Nadu are likely to have a major say in the Lok Sabha elections just 3 months away. The seats the Tamil Nadu returns are likely to be the kingmaking ones. But what about their own states? Why are these political parties who in their power hunger have chosen to keep those that give them power, the people, as far away from the ballot box as possible? When will the Tamil voter indicate their voice through a vote even it's a by-poll. So their brethren and the country can really know what the mood in Tamil Nadu has. It's a conversation crucial to Tamil pride and national politics, let's have it. Here's what's happening.