BARGUR: The rejection-and-acceptance of nomination of DMDK-turned-independent candidate V Chandran has changed the trend of the forthcoming by-election in Bargur. Initially when AIADMK decided to boycott by-elections, the DMK thought it would be an easy win in Bargur. But it no longer looks like a cakewalk.
The growing popularity of, and sympathy for, the DMDK in Bargur can be attributed to Returning Officer (RO) A Shanmuga Sundaram. Chandran, who is an outsider in Hosur and was not so popular in Bargur, is now a well-known figure in Bargur. The RO’s rejection of Chandran’s nominations as DMDK candidate on technical grounds and two days later the same being okayed by the State Election Commission made the headlines in all the media.
The sensation created by this news made Chandran a prime contender against DMK. Further Chandran received sympathy when the RO rejected his nomination as the DMDK candidate thus forcing him to contest as an independent candidate.
Luckily Chandran got Murasu as his symbol with which the DMDK was identified in the last LS elections.
“Technically I may be contesting as an independent candidate. But the voters acknowledge me as DMDK member. I am getting overwhelming response in Bargur and I have a bright chance of winning,” said Chandran, who is also the Krishnagiri district secretary of DMDK.
With the DMDK strengthening its ground in Bargur using the publicity gained by the rejection and later acceptance of Chandran’s nomination, the DMK has taken the election campaign seriously.
To ensure DMK’s victory with bigger margin, four state ministers - T M Anbarasan, A V Velu, K Ponmudy and Durai Murugan - have been deputed by the party for election work in Bargur.
In the absence of the AIADMK, DMK candidate K R K Narasimhan, son of former MLA Krishnan from Yadhava Naidu community, is expected to bag the votes of his community members who would have otherwise supported the AIADMK. DMK has started ‘underground’ works to woo AIADMK votes, locals said.