At a campaign stop in Sholinghur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke in English, with TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai translating into Tamil. What followed, however, veered to improvisation. For instance, when Rahul said, “Yesterday, PM Modi completely lacked confidence (in Parliament),” Selvaperunthagai rendered it as, “Muzhumaiyaga nambikkaiyudan irundhaar (he was full of confidence).” The real detour began when Rahul attributed this to control by the United States. Picking up on the word “United,” Selvaperunthagai instead spoke about a “united India”. Rahul’s remark that “if Donald Trump tells Modi to jump, he jumps” took an even sharper turn, with TNCC chief suggesting that the PM was now acting against the country
- Nimisha S Pradeep
Echoes that changed tune
A remark at a Salem meeting pushed DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakant into the spotlight. Sharing the stage with CM MK Stalin, she said sexual assault and drug abuse were the only allegations levelled against the DMK government, triggering a flurry of reactions online. However, in Madurai a day later, the DMDK leader appeared to recalibrate, claiming her remarks were misread and describing Stalin as a “protector of women”. Even so, opponents seized on her initial comment, while social media drew comparisons to Dhurandhar-style doublespeak
- Sneha Sivashanmugam
Polling from the skies
Residents of Nochikuppam recently looked up to spot an unusual campaigner in the sky, a drone whirring overhead, flashing the faces of former Puducherry L-G Tamilisai Soundararajan, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s lotus symbol. With sections of the fishing community said to be disenchanted with the DMK, and some associations hinting at withholding support, the BJP has taken its outreach literally to the skies. Party cadre describe it as a tech-savvy bid to grab attention, and it appears to have done just that, drawing residents out of their homes. Whether the aerial spectacle converts curiosity into votes, however, remains an open question
- Subashini Vijayakumar