Future Tense: Madras School Of Economics Caught In Political Crossfire

Problems never come singly, it is often said. It has come in two in this instance. Two think-tanks are in Tamil Nadu. And, that is one TWO many for the political mandarins to care for. Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) and Madras School of Economics (MSE) are two eminent policy institutions in the Dravadian land. They have consistently got sustenance in the form of active support from the Tamil Nadu Government. But there is a catch. And, the catch – nay the truth – lies somewhere in between.  The MIDS was founded with the blessings of late M Karunanidhi. While he ruled the state, MIDS was in the limelight. But MSE was patronised by AIADMK founder and former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.  Even after her demise, MSE found in her successor a well-wisher and reliable supporter. The Edapaddi Palanisamy regime was favourably disposed towards MSE, and encouraged free flow of advice from its expert team. With the DMK back in Fort St George with Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin as the chief minister, how will these two institutions be viewed?  That the present finance minister of Tamil Nadu PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan is unhappy with the erstwhile AIADMK Government’s softness toward MSE is quite on record. Well, will the balance now shift towards MIDS? Think hard!