The Hindu : Thangkabalu followers start campaign in Salem

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Thangkabalu followers start campaign in Salem

By Our Staff Reporter

SALEM, MARCH 6. Though the Congress high command is yet to announce the names of candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls, followers of the former minister, K.V. Thangkabalu, have started writing his name on walls here today. The compound wall of the party's Salem Urban unit office also has a graffiti stating Mr. Thangkabalu as the party candidate.

The paintings have caused bad blood among other Congress groups. "When there is no official announcement from the high command, the decision of Mr. Thangkabalu's followers creates confusion in the rank and file of the party, " says a senior leader and a strong contender for the seat. "It will set a bad precedent and cause dissention within the party," says a local leader of the party.

Undeterred, the supporters of Mr. Thangkabalu have started painting graffiti seeking mandate for their leader. "We have received a positive signal from Delhi that Mr. Thangkabalu has been given the chance to contest. There is no time left. Hence, we have started the campaign. Already we are running short of time," says a youth wing leader.

In fact, it is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam that has ``reserved'' the walls for the Congress well in advance. Though the Salem seat has been given to the Congress, the DMK cadres, led by the district secretary and former minister, Veerapandi Arumugam, have decided to work for the victory of the Democratic Progressive Alliance candidate. Hence, they have almost covered the entire constituency reserving the walls, leaving space for the candidate's name.

"We, however, wait for the official communication on the name of the candidate. Then only we can add the name. Otherwise it will create confusion among the voters," said a senior DMK leader. Other alliance partners also echo the same view.

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