The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Are public meetings a thing of the past?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Are public meetings a thing of the past?

By Syed Muthahar

TIRUCHI, MAY 1. In the ongoing electioneering in the central districts a notable feature is the rarity of public meetings featuring platform speakers, thanks to the long campaign period, the advent of the electronic media and lack of interest among party cadres and the common man.

Till a decade ago, public meetings were the most popular mode of campaign, to familiarise among the voters the candidates and their symbols and also to create awareness of manifestos.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Left parties used to hold special programmes to train their recognised platform speakers in how to handle issues at meetings.

Come elections, public meetings in support of one party or the other were held every day not only in the towns but also in semi-urban limits. The popular speakers used to attract good audience to the meetings, which went on well past midnight. There also used to be competition among the rivals in holding meetings at the same venue one after the other. As public meetings were rare in villages, they attracted good crowds. A common sight was crowds gathering near hotels and shops to hear poll broadcasts by their leaders over All-India Radio.

Now the Election Commission ban on meetings after 10 p.m. in the city limits meant a reduction in their number. For, people used to assemble for meetings only after 9 p.m. With the electronic media bringing campaign by the top national and State leaders on the doorstep of the voter, the people, even in rural areas, do not show much interest in attending public meetings.

The long campaign period this time further dampened enthusiasm among the candidates and cadres. The major parties organised meetings in Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur and Pudukottai districts only during the visits of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, DMK president M. Karunanidhi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, and top leaders of other parties. They addressed meetings only in the major towns and preferred to have roadside meetings from their vehicles in semi-urban towns. Otherwise, political meetings have become rare.

Now the main campaign revolves round cinema artistes. While cinema stars-turned politicians, S.S. Chandran, Radha Ravi, `Junior' Baliah and actress C.R. Saraswathi, visited various parts of these districts to campaign for the AIADMK, the Democratic Progressive Alliance camp has fielded Sarath Kumar and a few lesser known faces from the tinsel world. They address from their vehicles at vantage points to the crowds which gather instantly.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu