Power lust, caste pride, and electoral sabotage at the centre of Imayam’s Nammalu

In Tamil Nadu politics, the term ulkutthu (or ulladivelai) carries a meaning far more loaded than routine intra-party dissent. It refers to the covert act of working against one’s own party members — often to secure personal advancement, a ticket, or electoral success. At times, such actions compel the party high command to intervene or initiate disciplinary measures against those involved.

Nammalu, a short story by Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer Imayam, effectively captures sabotage within a party. It is driven by the authority of an unquestioned district secretary — a former minister and a caste Hindu — who acts against his own party’s candidate. The district secretary, R.K.S., does not want his colleague to win, as the latter’s victory would likely earn him a cabinet berth, complete with the symbolic authority of a siren-fitted car, and create a parallel power centre in the district. R.K.S. knows he is irreplaceable because of his standing in the community and his power as district secretary. Still, he cannot bring himself to bear the prospect of someone else — more importantly, a member of a Scheduled Caste — emerging as a minister.