Karunanidhi's schemes give DMK clear edge in Krishnagiri

The populist schemes implemented by M Karunanidhi government has clearly given an edge to DMK candidate E G Sugavanam in the Krishnagiri constituency.

No wonder, this sitting MP’s enthusiasm for campaigning continues though his feet are swollen due to the numerous miles he has trekked through unmotorable and narrow village roads in the past three weeks.

The AIADMK’s J Nanje Gowdu, a Kannadiga, is his main opponent in this constituency, where 16 candidates are in the fray. The two had crossed swords in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections too, which Sugavanam won by a margin of nearly 1,20,000 votes. What makes this election stand out is that it is the first parliamentary election to be held after Krishnagiri district was carved out of  Dharmapuri district in 2006.

The six assembly segments of Hosur, Thalli, Krishnagiri, Bargur, Veppanapalli and Uthangarai fall in this constituency. 

Sugavanam was a relatively unknown politician before he took the state political world by storm by beating former chief minister J Jayalalitha in the 1996 assembly elections from Bargur, his home town. That was a sweet victory for him after two previous failed attempts to win an assembly election there.

It is another matter that he lost the assembly elections that followed and then bargained his way for an MP ticket.

“I will win hands down due to Kalaignar’s (Karunanidhi) achievements in the state the last three years,” declares this 51-year-old politician. The list he reels out is endless: The Hogenakal Drinking Water Project to provide water for both Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri constituencies with a Rs 1,336 crore funding from Japan, 20 kg of rice for each family at ration shops at Rs one per kg,  waiver of loans incurred by farmers to the tune of Rs 7,600 crore, free colour TVs and gas stoves for the poor.

The fact that he is not indulging in wishful thinking comes through this comment by aged Anianma of Namileri village, who lives in a thatched hut:  “Kalaignar only gave me a colour TV. So my vote is for him.” Her neighbour echoes the same feeling: “I don’t know which party gave me the TV, I will vote for it.”

Reeling out other productive welfare moves, Christina, a nurse at a public health centre says, “I have no party bias. But I see the joy some schemes bring in for the poorest on a daily basis like the financial assistance of Rs 6,000 for health care of each pregnant woman and the Rs 700 for each delivery.”

Her colleague Rani adds: “The Rs 20,000 provided for marriage of girls, who study upto Class 10 has helped many families to provide basic education for women.”

But, not all are impressed though. A common complaint voiced by many of disgruntled ones is the absence of Sugavanan in the constituency. “He was last seen here five years ago when he came for votes. He did not have the grace to even come and thank us after winning and has come now to ask for votes,” lashes out Srinivas, who runs a provision store in Krishnagiri.

“I have decided to vote for the AIADMK candidate due to Amma’s(Jayalalitha) clear stand for a separate Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka,” adds Manickam.

An unfazed Nanje Goudu says, “Sugavanam has not fulfilled any of the promises he made last time and the people know that. I will win definitely.”