JOIN USClear edge for AIADMK-led front
Save for the candidates who benefit from their past performance, money power or unbeatable caste equations, there is not much to cheer for the Democratic Alliance comprising the DMK, the Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK). Though the alliance refuses to view the AIADMK-led front comprising the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam (MDMK), CPI and the CPM as a “winning combination,” the candidates and leaders indeed admit that it is a formidable one.
The electoral forays made by fringe outfits like the Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhakam (DMDK) of actor Vijayakant, the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MKK) and the Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhakam (KMK) have threatened to cause quite a few upsets too.
Even though there are two opposite versions about the likely impact of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue on the elections, DMK-Congress leaders are praying that nothing further happens before May 13.
With the AIADMK having stolen the thunder on the issue, a possible capture of or suicide by LTTE chief Prabhakaran could drastically swing the pendulum away from the Democratic Alliance.
Development and local issues, including power cuts, price rise, the worsening law and order situation have all been the key campaign points of the AIADMK alliance. In fact, resentment against the non-performance of the Karunanidhi government or the local MP will surely determine the outcome in at least a dozen constituencies like Coimbatore, Salem, Sivaganga and Kanyakumari.
AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa, who criss-crossed the state in a helicopter also went to town on Karunanidhi’s promotion of his family members and relatives. “He has apportioned different part of the state to his sons, daughter and relatives. There is nobody to look after you. Won’t you teach him a lesson?’’ she thundered to huge crowds which waited for hours bearing the summer heat to hear her.
The DMK government tried to cash in on the freebies it had doled out or the populist Re 1 a kg rice scheme for the poor. However, this was offset by the AIADMK front’s campaign against the rise in prices of essential commodities. As for the freebies, the DMK candidates had a tough time tackling complaints by a large number of people who did not receive the promised free television sets.
Complaints of widespread distribution of money to bribe voters in Madurai and Sivaganga continued to make news as is usual in any election in Tamil Nadu.
The victory of DMK south organisation secretary and chief minister M Karunanidhi’s son M K Azhagiri is almost a foregone conclusion considering the money that is flowing in the constituency.
MDMK chief Vaiko is believed to be having a smooth sailing in Virudhnagar while DMK candidate and former mayor Sarubala R Thondairaman of the Pudukottai royal family also has an edge in Tiruchirapalli. Reports now say it will not be a cakewalk for Congress candidate and Union minister Mani Shanker Aiyer in Mayiladuthurai as the MKK threatens to make a dent in his traditional Muslim votebank. In Kanyakumari, a three-way split in Christian votes has made any prediction of the outcome difficult.
Here, DMK’s Hellen Davidson, CPM’s sitting MP Bellarmin and DMDK’s S Austin are locked in a four-cornered contest with BJP’s former union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. There are quite a few constituencies where the results could be touch and go.