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DMDK's `nagara' symbol strikes a chord

Staff Reporter

Dalits of Sooripalayam near Tirupur reserved constituency are happy at Vijayakant choosing the drum as his election symbol. — Photo: M. Balaji

TIRUPUR: "It is our symbol. You can see our youths beating it in the evening in front of the temple here," says Karuppathal, a 35-year-old Dalit woman, excitedly.

When she learnt that the nagara (a kind of drum) symbol was allotted to the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, Karuppathal, who lives in Sooripalayam, 25 km from here, says she and her relatives decided to vote for Vijayakant.

The small Dalit hamlet of Arunthathiyars near Sevur in the Avinashi reserved constituency is traditionally a bastion of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the two leaves has been their favourite symbol so far.

Now, however, the drum seems to have taken over.

Sooripalayam is not an isolated case. A considerable share of votes from every Dalit hamlet might go to Vijayakant's party in this region. Besides Dalits, the youth and first-time voters from other castes too support him. His support base constitutes even teenagers who are yet to attain the age of voting.

"All along we have been voting for MGR's party [the AIADMK]. Neither the AIADMK nor the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have provided anything to us. We will give Vijayakant a chance this time. Let us see what change he will bring about," says Mallika, a farm worker.

Candidates of the AIADMK and the DMK fronts have begun their campaigns, but the DMDK candidates are yet to start canvassing in many constituencies. Sources attribute this to financial constraints and organisational inexperience.

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