What happens in a state where there is no paucity of sops showered on the people? They will look for more! Tamil Nadu has been one State where successive governments have not only offered free sops, but have also successfully implemented them.

Right from the time, when the phenomenal film star, MG Ramachandran (MGR) entered politics and swept the State in the seventies, and introduced the free mid day meal scheme, the successive governments have tried out many schemes to woo voters.

Yet, when the DMK on the eve of the last Assembly elections in 2006, announced distribution of free TVs to all households which do not have a TV, it looked ridiculously ambitious.

It is quite amazing however that this scheme has not only been successfully implemented, but has gone on to make Tamil Nadu probably the most cable TV penetrated State in the country. A 14 inch colour TV, with no brand name adorns even the most humble abode in most parts of the State. Where it is still to reach, people are quietly confident that it is just a matter of time before it reaches their house or hut.

And this scheme, which no one had tried so far, is quite remarkably party-neutral, unlike any such schemes in other States, where complaints of them being only implemented to particular party sympathisers. In Ottakkal Mandapam, about 15 kms. from Coimbatore, for instance, Veeramuthu, a DMK sympathiser informs, that his parents are staunch AIADMK supporters, and still they have been given a TV. And wonder of wonders, who facilitated it? An AIADMK panchayat member, who ensured that all those did not own TV were listed and also saw to it that they were delivered.

In distant, Salem district, same is the story. Chinnaswamy, a hard core AIADMK supporter, confirms that he has got his colour TV at home. The humble agricultural worker, who survives on a decent Rs.125 to 150 per day working on the fields, says there is no bias in distribution of this sop. And it does not even depend on the economic status of the families. For instance, unlike Chinnaswamy, Veeramuthu is better off, and even owns a taxi, and works as a clerk in a Knit wear manufacturing unit.

The free TV has transformed the lives of families, however, as they all watch cable TV, with kids even in remote villages, where they are familiar with �Tom and Jerry� cartoons (translated into Tamil), while adults mouth their party propaganda, faithfully. Talking to an AIADMK supporter, one gets the feeling that he has imbibed fully, Amma�s (Jayalalithaa) take on the ills of the DMK Government, and the family rule of the Karunanidhi dynasty, which is repeated ad nauseum on Jaya TV.

In fact for Karunanidhi this scheme may just prove to be a double edged sword, so as the Re.1 per kilo rice scheme. While the penetration of these schemes is hugely impressive, it has not changed much the affiliations of the beneficiaries, as far as their party loyalty is concerned. �After all it is our own hard earned money, which they are using to give us all this�, says Murugan, a staunch AIADMK supporter, living in a village near Peramanallur, about 15 kms. from Thiruppur. Murugan confesses that he gets the Re.1 per kilo rice (20 kgs per month for a family of four) as well as the other provisions including dal, which comes in a packet for Rs.50. But he has no intention to change his party loyalties. Across the State this is the constant refrain of the AIADMK supporters, who have benefited from these two hugely successful schemes.

In fact they even criticize the quality of the rice, and they even claim that they use it as chicken feed, apart from complaints of it being insufficient. �These people are giving rice at Re.1, but how 20 kgs is sufficient for a family? We are forced to buy another 10 to 15 kgs from the open market, where the price has gone up to Rs.30 per kg forcing us to spend almost another Rs.1,000 per month�, says Angamma, 70 year staunch AIADMK supporter, whose house walls are adorned with huge portraits of MGR and Jayalalithaa. They even see a conspiracy in this scheme, as they feel that Karunanidhi has allowed price of rice in the open market go upto Rs.30 to 35 per kilo to benefit certain sections of the traders. What they don�t talk of course, is the benefit to the farmer from the rise in procurement prices.

Interestingly there is absolutely no sense of obligation at all. On the other hand, Perisami, a dalit in Kalayamputhur, about 5 kms. from Palani, a life long MGR fan and supporter of AIADMK, even goes further and says, when asked if he does not feel obliged to shift loyalties after having benefited from these schemes. �Why should I, if Amma comes back, she will give us more probably�.

It is this, what seems like, a insatiable demand for freebies or cheap stuff, which distinguishes the politics of Tamil Nadu from say a Bihar, where even a below average road built, is considered as a great achievement of the Government, and earns the sobriquet of a �Vikas Purush� to the Chief Minister.

It is not just free colour TV and Re.1 per Kg rice, which has been successfully implemented in these last three years of DMK rule. Karunanidhi�s other scheme of free gas cylinders is also a huge hit. Though not as widely implemented so far, as the other two schemes, it is well on the road for implementation. �It has not yet come to our village, but it will soon. They have already collected details, about who needs it in our village�, says Sonai, a driver, who lives in Thanijeyan, part of the Theni lok Sabha constituency, some 30 kms. from Madurai.

In fact Sonai reveals that some people in his village declined TV sets, as they already had one. �However I think almost everyone will take the gas connection�, he says. This scheme includes a free connection, and also a stove with the cylinder. Refills have to be paid for, and people are quite willing to do it, mercifully!

The other scheme which has been successfully implemented is the NREG. Many people confirm that the scheme is under operation and people who have enlisted are getting paid Rs.75 per day. �It is a good scheme, and we are told that it would be increased to Rs.100 per day and for 180 days in a year�, says Rangaswamy, a small time trader and an occasional agricultural worker, in Kalayamputhur.

He also confirms that many farmers in his area have also been benefited by the loan waiver scheme of the Government of India. �It has also helped people like us, because with the weight of loans off their backs, the farmers are giving us more work now, after taking fresh loans�. A staunch DMK supporter, he however feels that these schemes will benefit the DMK-Congress combine, as beneficiaries will vote for it.