Police in Kinathukkadavu in Coimbatore district were treated to an unconventional plea when a 42-year-old woman rang the emergency helpline, not out of danger, but for democracy.
The call was made to request assistance in securing an MLA ticket from TVK. Officers followed up, only to find she had taken her political disappointment, and perhaps a drink or two, rather seriously after being rebuffed by local party figures.
Having recently joined the party and found little encouragement, she appeared to believe the police might intervene in electoral affairs. She was gently advised that cops do not handle candidate selection.
S Senthil Kumar
Better late than never?
A curious political footnote unfolded in Theni, as former AIADMK leader SPM Syed Khan finally joined the DMK, more than two weeks after his mentor, O Panneerselvam, had already crossed over. When a puzzled party functionary asked about the delay, Khan offered an explanation that raised more eyebrows than clarity. He said that he had intended to join earlier but found the Chennai event too crowded. One might say he missed his political cue in the bustle. His insistence that he was present during the earlier meeting, just not formally inducted, has left DMK cadres in the district both amused and bewildered.
Saravanan MP