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        The fate of Tamilnadu politics had always been decided by stars from the tinsel town. The State has seen several of them throwing their hat in the political ring. Perhaps taking a cue from the recent success of actor Vijayakanth in politics, Sarath Kumar (the president of South India Film Artistes Association) is pumped up to take a shot at politics, despite his none-too-happy experiences in the past. Sarath Kumar's short stint with both the DMK and the AIADMK had proved to be disasters.

        But this politically ambitious actor has never given up his dreams of striking it rich in politics. And that is why his latest move to set up a memorial for former Chief Minister Kamaraj seems curious and quirky.

        The symbolism (of Kamaraj) and the list of participants scheduled to make it to the function at Virudunagar on 29 April make for interesting and intriguing reading. The function seeks to funnel the Nadar community under one umbrella even while bringing disparate elements like

        Dr Krishnaswamy, Thol Thirumavalavan together in a common platform. The fact that Union Minister and a known DMK baiter E V K S Elangovan is also pencilled to attend the function makes it all a touch spicy. With the talk of third front at the Centre rife in the air, this discrete consolidation of forces here also make the political scene tangier.

        Coming back to Sarath and his attempt to group the Nadar votes, the general feeling is that he may have taken a few tips from Dr Ramadoss, whose PMK was an off-spring of the Vanniyar Sangam.

        The foundation stone laying ceremony for the memorial of former Chief Minister Kamaraj, considered a pride of Nadar community, brings together big names like Elangovan, Pudhucherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy, DPI chief Thol Thirumvalavan and heads of various communal outfits.

        Pointedly, the two prominent Dravidian parties - the DMK and the AIADMK, are not in the list. Whether they were not invited or they chose to stay away is not known. But the fact that they will not be there has made the political pundits watch the whole show with renewed interest. Otherwise, the whole spectacle would be no more than a meaningless show of strength to satisfy a single man's ego.

        Not ruling out a possibility of forming his own political party, Sarath Kumar had recently stated that a political process has started and the Nadar community may take a lead in this regard. The Nadar community, which constitutes 16 per cent of the State population, is being marginalised, he said.

        On the need to construct a memorial for Kamaraj, the actor says, 'it was the result of my introspection about Tamilnadu politics. While everyone, including those who opposed Kamaraj while he was alive talks about him, no one is willing to bring his values back into politics. The celebration is first step bring the ethics of Kamaraj in Tamilnadu politics'.

        Given the symbolic nature in which Tamilnadu politics operates, Sarath's move seems to set the cat among the pigeons. Whether his move further crystalizes into a strong anti-DMK and anti-AIADMK force (there is obviously a yearning for this) or peters into another feckless attempt at political grandstanding only time can tell.

        But times, they are certainly interesting.