#Thread : For every political party or individual who wants to emerge as a "change agent" in #TamilNadu , the first thing to do is to acknowledge the role of the Dravidian parties in bringing social and developmental change in the state.

One cannot keep saying no development has taken place in #TamilNadu when there is no much to see around you. In cities, towns, and villages. When you keep shouting from the roof-top that there is no development, people tend to compare and look around.

When they compare the development, they look at states near-by and far-away. If one goes by that standard, all is well. More than well, actually. But if the change agents want a new culture to prevail and a new system to be in force, they need to say what is lacking now.

What is wrong in acknowledging that there is all-round development in Tamil Nadu. Yes. Corruption is a major issue. It affects everyone. But to call these parties corrupt and rob them of the credit they deserve, people will just not believe you.

Go to villages, towns, and cities. Meet people, tell them what is ailing the state. How can corruption-less administration bring in more development? And explain your plan to get rid of corruption. No sweeping statements like we will end corruption.

People who project themselves as change agents should also give clear-cut solutions. Their plan to eradicate corruption. Because it is well entrenched. Not just politicians, but even the last man working in a village panchayat asks for extra bucks to get things done.

Dravidian parties did not come to power just by highlighting the failures of the Congress. They went to the people and met them at their homes. Told them what was wrong with the current government. Enlightened them. Made them aware of the realities.

None of the parties that want to bring a change are doing this now. They are on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The social media bravado can never get votes. Going to villages just before elections is not working for the people.

When you say something is wrong, you should/must know what is right/better. If you feel there is rampant corruption, highlight that with proof. Also give solutions. Do not just cry corruption. Hit and runs do not work here. People here are far more intelligent than one thinks.

I agree there is yearning for a change and freshness in people. I cannot quantify it. But there is an expectation. Despite so many fronts being propped up in the past 50 years, the reason why Dravidian parties are still strong is the alternatives were in a tearing hurry.

You cannot come to power within months of launching a party. You need to work with the people and among the people. MGR pulled off a magic. He was in politics for two freaking decades before he launched his party. He was a two-time MLA. Treasurer of the ruling party.

And this man, MGR, was immensely popular. He had campaigned extensively for DMK for two elections 1967 and 1971 before he went and asked votes for his own party. People assess you and judge you.

My only problem with parties coming to power just few months after launching is they grow arrogant. They begin to take people for granted. If some party wants to come to power in 2031, it should start working from 2021. Not in January 2030 or February 2031.

As a voter, I would want to know how will corruption be eradicated? How will the new administration ensure that the person who comes for address verification does not ask money from me? I would need clear answers. Because that is how change takes place.

I admire #KamalHaasan as an actor, #Rajinikanth for his flamboyance and style. But when I want them to be my leaders, I expect more. Clear-cut answers. Because that is the kind of awareness that we in Tamil Nadu have.

#vijayakanth had a chance. But he could not wait beyond a point. There is a great lesson for those in hurry. People like parties that patiently wait for their turn, while doing their work without any expectations.

So many parties have got the trust and confidence of people after being in the field for years or decades together. People take time to trust new ones. It is same like going for Sony TV despite it being costly. It took two decades in my household to change to a different brand.

Change takes time. The change agents need to wait for their time. Or if they feel it is very urgent, camp in towns and villages for the next five months. Win the confidence of the people. But mere statement will not work. People will not believe.

This is a social media age. TV penetration is quite high in TN. People know what is happening around them. They are highly knowledgeable. And I say this with conviction that I learnt a lot from the ground than from my newsroom.

If an ordinary journalist like me can learn so much, there is lot that established and yet-to-be established parties can learn from the ground. Staying in the ground is not just for newbies, but also the oldies. Once people feel you are not in sync with them, they will throw you

Thumb rule is there is no alternative to win trust of the people than being with them and among them. If the change agents do that, they will be in the annals of the history. Change is inevitable. And change is the only thing that is constant.