CHENNAI: If pulling down the

government in

which enjoys majority on paper - outside the assembly - is an arduous task, the principal opposition, the

, is more concerned about what next, if it manages to topple the government headed by

.

Sources have said party chief

is reluctant to form a government for the residual term of the assembly as he is doubtful of showing numbers in the House. Also, the high expectations of the electorate would put lots of stress on the new government. In a short term, it is practically impossible for any government to fulfil promises like agriculture and education loan waivers, committed in abundant measure at the last hustings. And nobody wants to be in the saddle when a water crisis is at play.

“We will only push for fresh elections whenever the government falls. We will not stake claim to form the government,” said a senior DMK leader.

With the Centre “determined to play spoilsport”, the DMK leadership is not confident of ushering in assembly elections in Tamil Nadu anytime soon. “By pulling down the government, we may play into the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Right now, the Centre is remote controlling the state government. If the AIADMK government falls, it will directly administer the state. Possibility of a protracted President’s rule for one year cannot be ruled out, because the

leadership in Delhi may want to regain some of its lost ground during that period. It would also give enough time for the Centre to engage in some political manoeuvring in the state to keep the DMK-Congress at bay,” said a DMK leader.

The DMK’s assessment is that if elections are held within six months of the government’s fall, it will give the party rich dividends. Any further delay may give opportunity to possible new entrants like superstar Rajinikanth to establish.

If Rajinikanth contests alone, it may not make much of an impact. But if he manages to trigger a mass movement for a change from Dravidian politics or becomes a rallying point for other parties, it will be a cause of concern for both the AIADMK and the DMK.

Many senior AIADMK leaders, who are uncertain about their political future under the dual leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam, may look at Rajinikanth as a credible alternative closer to polls.

Instead of allowing someone else to reap the fruits of hard labour carried out by M K Stalin and co for more than four years, it would be prudent to wait till the government crumbles under its own weight, feels the DMK leadership. The EPS dispensation would meanwhile earn more bad name is the thought.

According to political analyst R Mani, the Centre will not try to prop up the AIADMK government if it falls short of majority. “They will not take the risk of supporting a minority government because it will damage their name further,” said Mani.

Meanwhile, to keep the heat on the AIADMK, Stalin is touring the state extensively, covering even the assembly segments where the party lost in the recently held bypolls. “He wants to stay in touch with the electorate till the assembly elections,” said a member of his core team.