THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary-December 30, 2016- Topic 1
That V.K. Sasikala was nominated general secretary of the
AIADMK by its general council is no
surprise. Her elevation from party worker to party head has followed days of
demands and entreaties from senior AIADMK leaders that she take up the job. Two
things counted in her favour. She
was the closest friend of Jayalalithaa, something that means a lot in the
personality cult-based structure of the AIADMK. As importantly, any other
choice would have divided the party into fractious factions. Chief Minister O.
Panneerselvam, the only other possible contender, himself backed Ms. Sasikala.
As did most other party leaders, including prominent ministers, who rely on
their caste bases for popular support. However, it is doubtful whether the
AIADMK rank and file is really enthused by the choice — a fact that will have a
bearing on the future of the party. It is not surprising that Ms. Sasikala
lacks popular appeal. Over the last two decades, her influence over the party
and State politics has been carefully and almost wholly orchestrated from the
backroom. Throughout her years at the helm, Jayalalithaa made sure there was no
credible second line of leadership in the party. Ms. Sasikala herself was not
given a party post, but the fact that she lived at the Poes Garden residence of
Jayalalithaa gave her an imposing authority within the AIADMK.
The party’s problems do not end with Ms.
Sasikala’s elevation. A possible risk is that the authority of Mr.
Panneerselvam as Chief Minister could be undermined by the ascent of Ms.
Sasikala. Already several ministers have, both privately and publicly, urged
her to take over as Chief Minister. The post is hers for the asking, given that
she has the backing of most MLAs; Mr. Panneerselvam himself is unlikely to
offer any resistance. However, as an accused in the disproportionate assets
case against Jayalalithaa, Ms. Sasikala is awaiting a judgment in the Supreme
Court in an appeal against her acquittal by the Karnataka High Court after a
conviction by the trial court. Following searches in the residential and office
premises of Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao by Income Tax and Enforcement
Directorate authorities, questions have been raised about the involvement of
higher-ups in the AIADMK in corruption. This has been reinforced by the fact
that some top leaders have been close to mining baron Sekhar Reddy, who has
been arrested for possession of huge amounts of cash in new currency notes. In
such circumstances, it would be both unwise and improper for Ms. Sasikala to
take over the State’s administration. In a twist of fate, she has emerged as
the most powerful person in Tamil Nadu. But this has occurred in a fragile
political environment. Ms. Sasikala and the party need to act with patience and
restraint, not self-serving haste.
Vocabulary
Entreaty: an earnest or humble request.
Example: The king turned a deaf ear to his entreaties
Synonyms: plea, appeal, request, petition, suit, application, claim
Cult: a system of religious veneration and devotion directed
toward a particular figure or object.
Example: The cult of St. Olaf
Fractious: irritable and quarrelsome.
Example: They fight and squabble like fractious children
Synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable
Prominent: important; famous.
Example: She was a prominent member of the city council
Synonyms: important, well-known, leading, eminent, distinguished
Rely: depend on with full trust or confidence.
Example: I know I can rely on your discretion
Synonyms: depend on, count on, bank on, place reliance on, reckon
on
Enthused: say something that expresses one's eager enjoyment,
interest, or approval.
Example: They both enthused over my new look
Synonyms: rave about, be enthusiastic about, gush over, wax
lyrical about
Orchestrated: arrange or direct the elements
of a situation to produce a desired effect, especially surreptitiously.
Example: The developers were able to orchestrate a favorable media campaign
Synonyms: organize, arrange, plan, set up, bring about, mobilize
Helm: a tiller or wheel and any associated equipment for
steering a ship or boat.
Example: She stayed at the helm, alert for tankers
Synonyms: tiller, wheel, steering gear, rudder
Ascent: an instance of rising through the air.
Example: The first balloon ascent was in 1783
Synonyms: rise, climb, launch, takeoff, liftoff, blastoff
Reinforce: strengthen or support, especially with additional
personnel or material.
Example: Paratroopers were sent to reinforce the troops already in the area
Synonyms: augment, increase, add to, supplement, boost, top
up
Possession: the state of having, owning,
or controlling something.
Example: Are you in possession of any items over $500 in value?
Synonyms: ownership, control, hands, keeping, care, custody
Restraint: unemotional, dispassionate, or moderate behavior;
self-control.
Example: He urged the protesters to exercise restraint
Synonyms: self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, control