Thirumavalavan Locked in a Triangular Contest
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan is locked in an absorbing triangular contest here with the AIADMK and PMK. Although, Congress too has fielded a candidate, the race is confined to AIADMK, PMK and VCK. The nomination of Congress candidate Vallalperuman has not gone down with a section of partymen and the faction-ridden party is facing a tough task, to retain its vote bank. Besides, Thirumavalavan and Vallalperuman, AIADMK’s Chandrakasi and PMK’s Gopalakrishnan are in the fray.
The Chidambaram constituency comprises six assembly constituencies in three districts. Bhuvanagiri, Chidambaram and Kattumannarkoil assembly constituencies in Cuddalore, Jayankondam and Ariyalur constituencies in Ariyalur and Kunnam assembly constituency which falls both in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts.
AIADMK’s constituency in-charge KA Sengottaiyan had started the ground works a few weeks ago. Sengottaiyan has been meeting the party cadre and motivating them. His speedy election works keep the party cadre enthusiastic.
On the DMK alliance, Cuddalore district secretary, MRK Paneer Selvam, and Ariyalur district secretary, Siva Shankar, are working for Thirumavalavan.
PMK heavyweight and Vanniyar sangam state president J Guru is working on the field in support of party’s candidate Gopalakrishnan.
Two major charges are levelled against Thirumavalavan during the campaigns of AIADMK and PMK. As an MP, Thirumavalavan failed to visit this constituency frequently is the AIADMK’s allegation and PMK’s argument is that there would probably be social unrest in the constituency, if Thirumavalavan gets elected again.
To deny the charges and consolidate Dalit votes, VCK senior leader Vanniyarasu has come up with a new campaign approach called ‘Thinnai Pirasaram’. He said “We will tell the people about how the lives of entire Dalit community has improved under the leadership of Thirumavalavan. We will also tell them that Thirumavalavan is a state-level leader. So he has to go to all the places across TN to fight for the rights of downtrodden people.”
PMK district secretary Venu Bhuvaneswaran said, “People belonging to all communities are affected by VCK activities. So, they are seeing PMK as their saviour.” As far as Chidambaram constituency is concerned, Left parties — CPI and CPM — are yet to declare their stand on supporting any candidate.