This was supposed to be a routine election. Everyone I had spoken with assumed that the DMK will once again form the government. This was despite a new political party in the fray, formed by a popular actor Vijay some two years ago. He formed his party and within a short time period was contesting all the available seats in parliament.
I heard that was gaining a lot of traction on the ground and in social media. The young people were very excited about him. When I heard that the turnout for the election was a record 85%, I did think that if this was a young people wave turning up to vote, it will be bad doe the established parties. But the people I spoke with, even as late as yesterday morning, were of the view that, at best, he would pull some votes away from the other 2 established parties and would at most end up with about 20 seats out of the 234 seats in parliament.
Shockingly his party , the TVK, yesterday secured the most number of seats. His party has taken 108 seats so far. He will not have a outright majority but almost certainly he will be the new Chief Minister.
A new chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu. After the initial Congress years, the state has always alternated between DMK and AIADMK. But they now have a new party in power, untested and without any experience in governing.
The initial euphoria amongst the people, celebrating his victory, will be tampered soon by the realities of running a state and daily life.
It is nevertheless a phenomenon that has to be studied carefully. A new party, charismatic young leader, no experience in government, good on social media, popular amongst young people, lots of promises on providing free services, a feeling of tiredness amongst the people for more of the same and anti incumbency.
It is not just in Tamil Nadu but this is happening in a number of places. The New York mayor race, the Ukrainian presidential election some years back and more recently in Poland. Lessons ha e to be learnt from this new phenomenon.
daily musings 
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