A decision in poor taste

Jayalalitha's AIADMK has decided to boycott the upcoming by-elections in Tamilnadu complaining about what it thinks the election commissions inability to conduct free and fair elections in Tamilnadu.

This is a decision in poor taste and would result in no less than the ruling DMK alliance getting a leeway in almost all the constituencies. The protest that Jayalalitha wishes to register would end up being a boon to the DMK camp that would have a campfire out of Jayalalitha's rage.

Citing irregularities and keeping away from elections might sound fashionable to the ears of the ADMK chief who is still sulking after her hopes came crashing down with a not so glorious performance in the Loksabha elections.

But to run away from what would be the only direct court of the people to seek a mandate is shunning a responsibilty that comes with being a bigger political player and will not, so far as I can think, be a better political tactic for any kind of issue an opposition wishes to raise.

People can choose their own ways to protest against an issue of their dislike but it should neither be as extreme as burning a bus with college girls in it (by ADMK supporters when Jayalalitha was arrested many years ago) nor as exteme as the current decision to stay away from elections.