COIMBATORE: Amidst the discontent over seat-sharing, AIADMK candidates in Coimbatore have personally met BJP leaders in Coimbatore and have invited them for campaigning as many of their party cadres remain upset.
Many BJP workers and functionaries in Coimbatore are allegedly upset with the seat-sharing arrangement in the NDA as the BJP was allotted only one constituency - Coimbatore North. Before the final announcement, there was widespread expectation that the BJP would secure at least three out of 10 Assembly constituencies in Coimbatore. It was anticipated that current BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan might contest in Coimbatore North or South, former state BJP president K Annamalai could be fielded from Kavundampalayam or Singanallur, and former Coimbatore South district president K Vasantharajan might contest from Kinathukadavu.
However, the alliance decision turned out differently and the BJP received just one seat, which came as a shocker to many party functionaries and workers.
In some places, protests were held demanding a review of the seat allocation, but no changes were made. Soon after the announcement, the AIADMK quickly declared its candidates and began campaigning.
While the attention is now on who will be the BJP candidate in the single allotted seat, many party workers in the other constituencies are upset as they were not given a chance to contest.
To pacify the situation, AIADMK candidates have been personally meeting dissatisfied BJP leaders and their supporters, consoling them, seeking their support and assuring them that they will recommend a substantial number of seats for the BJP in the upcoming local body elections.
A senior AIADMK functionary said, "The BJP had high expectations of getting at least three seats in Coimbatore. Since those expectations were not met, disappointment is visible across all other constituencies. Cadres who usually campaign energetically are now showing less interest. Even though the candidates are from the AIADMK, they are NDA candidates. Therefore, instructions have been given to personally meet BJP leaders in every constituency and seek their support. Their backing is important for victory. We are now reaching out to the cadres through second-tier leaders to mobilise them for election work."
AIADMK candidates have also met Annamalai and Vasantharajan personally in the last few days.