| |
| |
Vijayakanth
and elections: Will he hit bull's eye?
|
|
| |
The
political battleground is hotting up in
Tamilnadu with the fast approaching May
8 polling day. The lines are drawn and the
candidates are busy with campaigning. The
most important element of the assembly elections
this time is the unprecedented entry of
a third element besides the two main Dravidian
parties. Vijayakanthh announced his entry
into politics last year with his Desiya
Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam.
He stumped everyone by announcing that he
would contest the elections from Viridhachalam
instead of Madurai. Many were quite surprised
at the choice. Viridhachalam falls in the
Vanniyar belt which has been the stronghold
of the PMK. |
|
|
But,
Captain as Vijayakanth is fondly called,
has a special association with the town.
His film, Amman Koil Kizhakkale, which showed
him, a rustic hero, taming a city-bred heroine,
was received well here and he was felicitated
by the people. So, also all his other films
have had a good run. The predominantly rural,
agrarian community likes him as one of their
own.
Although there is an image that the PMK’s
position is well-secured, there are quiet
rumblings of discontent. Voters, especially
the youth and women, want to move away from
the two parties and give the newcomer a
chance. Another factor is the Dalit electorate.
They find in Vijayakanth an ideal man to
bring about their upliftment. The PMK is
part of the DMK alliance and its candidate
has a good rapport with the people. |
|
|
|
|
Vijayakanth
is banking upon his promise of corruption-free
government and slew of welfare measures
like 10 kg of rice, ration at doorstep,
free spiritual books, free bus and train
passes etc. Thanks to his roles as the idealistic
and dedicated officer in many films, the
people strongly believe that he should be
given a chance to prove himself.
He has a veteran politician, Panrutti S.
Ramachandran, who hails from the area, as
the party presidium secretary. Therefore,
it could be assumed that he chose the constituency
only after deep consideration. |
|
|
|
| To
gird the lion in its den is no mean task
especially as the PMK supreme Dr. Ramadas
is known for his vitriolic outbursts against
film stars. Nevertheless, Vijayakanth’s
meetings are attended by huge crowds and
how much would translate into votes is a
million dollar question.
Well, the scene is set. Will the torch lead
the people to a new light? Do we have a
Karuppu MGR in the making? May be not right
away, but would he don the CM’s mantle
in the future? Will his foray into the stately
portals of Fort St.George commence from
this dusty town?
Let’s wait and watch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
