How family legacy translates into political leadership
Reporters sometimes get a chance to see how family reputation and standing translate to political capital over generations
Veluchamy, a civil contractor specializing in ONGC works, owned the Velumanikam lodge in Ramanathapuram during the 1998 Lok Sabha elections. This was where the reporter, uprooted from their home, stayed for a few days. Veluchamy, known for astute observations, was respected within the community. When asked about the winning party, he confidently murmured, "BJP, BJP..." which indeed came to power.
Veluchamy, a Congress man, often kept his ears to the ground, gaining uncanny insights into national politics. His actions and words made the reporter feel at home, eventually leading to staying there for several months. Thirty years later, when covering the Assembly election, the reporter returned to Ramanathapuram, where Veluchamy's grandson, V.K.
Rajeev, was contesting as a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidate. Rajeev's victory in Ramanathapuram, where the Muslim vote seemed solidly behind the DMK, was unexpected based on pre-poll surveys and punditry. Rajeev explained his grandfather's legacy, noting how he kept only the good-hearted near him. Veluchamy's respect for doctors influenced his own political choices, and his grandson, now Minister for Environment and Climate Change, continues his legacy.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
