Muthu Kumar (name changed), a sugarcane farmer in Rishivandiyam, vividly remembers the day when DMDK leader Vijayakant campaigned in the rural constituency in 2011.
After electing the same Congress candidate for three consecutive terms, the people of this backward block of Villupuram, which has 53 village panchayats in its fold, had a heightened sense of expectation given that a high-profile candidate had chosen their constituency to contest the Assembly polls.
“He said he will convert Rishivandiyam into ‘Kushi’vandiyam. We really believed he would bring a change to this neglected area,” says Muthu Kumar, as he switches on the pump set on his field.
Two years on, the expectations have clearly turned into seething anger. Despite making several promises during his election campaign, voters here say the actor-turned-politician, who went on to become the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) after the polls, has failed to even show up to interact with people.
Unlike the AIADMK and the DMK which ensure the party’s presence in their leaders’ constituencies, Rishivandiyam hardly has a banner of the DMDK.
Valli, a 70-year-old woman who runs a petty shop near the police station, says Vijayakant came to Rishivandiyam following his victory to thank the people. But since then, neither he nor any leaders from his party have visited them.
The very first disappointment, locals say, was Vijayakant’s failure to keep up his promise of having a party office at Rishivandiyam village. “His own party men got annoyed when the news came that the office was being opened near Pagandai Koot Road some 15 km away.
Subramani, a flower vendor, alleges that the DMDK leader has been spotted coming to Pagandai office but has failed to make the trip to meet the people.
The voters in the village, in fact, have been demanding basic amenities for a long time. Foremost among them was building of a permanent bus stop.
“He may not be in a position to do a lot of things. But why can’t he come, meet us and explain? Did he not come when he wanted votes?” questions Palani of Kaduvanur village, adding that he would “certainly” not vote for the DMDK again.