First things first. Anbumani Ramadoss (40) is married, has three daughters and, unlike some politicians from Tamil Nadu, monogamous. That should put an end to the dreams of parents who may have misread the intentions of scores of MBBS girls 'proposing' to the handsome health minister. That may not, however, stop Ramadoss from courting controversies.
From 'scare messages' on cigarrette packs to one-year compulsory rural posting for medicos to better lifestyle for BPO employees, virtually every prominent proposal from the health minister has spurred protests, controversies and showdowns. And the Big Fight has gone from one of doubtful intentions to the ridiculous, with Parliament bringing in a Bill apparently aimed at a single person.
Not many would question the political correctness of compulsory rural posting and the fight against tobacco. Just that Ramadoss, while trying put his foot down, does not watch his steps in realpolitik. What else explains his statement that BPO employees are a group of youngsters who smoke, drink and do late nights? (It had Nasscon president Kiran Karnik protesting). Or his statement that some politicians (there were enough indications that Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi was in the list) are hand in glove with the tobacco lobby?
The health minister has clearly inherited those genes of politically dangerous defiance from his father and PMK founder S Ramadoss, who is having a running feud with Karunanidhi, even while continuing in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA). And all those preaching against drinking and smoking was part of Ramadoss' political upbringing. Before his entry into politics, the MBBS graduate was groomed in 'Pasumai Thayagam,' an environment conservation group his father started.
For one who has seen his father building up a political party since 1989 -- and managing to be always with the winning alliance in the state -- on the curious combination of caste, Tamil nationalism, morality and defiance, it was only natural for Ramadoss junior to adopt at least the last two as ingredients of political success.
But the son has not realised that while his father has not tried the recipe outside Tamil Nadu, he is dealing with a different crowd in a different time. Father Ramadoss, while enjoying ultimate power as the head of a party of committed cadres, has never been a minister. In other words, he enjoys power without public scrutiny. Son Ramadoss has no ultimate power in a coaltion government and is under immense public scrutiny. When he refuses to acknowledge this reality, controversies become an inevitable corollary.
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