Tamil Nadu - Sivaganga   

A tough contest in the offing

SIVAGANGA: In the Assembly election, in Karaikudi constituency, a tough fight is expected between Congress candidate K.R. Ramasamy, five-time MLA, and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate C.T. Palanisamy, the party's district secretary.

In the past, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had an upper hand over its arch rival, the AIADMK. Though the DMK has won just two times since 1977, DMK-supported candidates of the then Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress won the seat in 1996, 2001 and 2006 elections respectively.

Mr. Sundaram won the elections in 1996 as a TMC nominee and on a Congress ticket in 2006. H. Raja of the BJP, with the alliance of the DMK, defeated TMC candidate SP. Udayappan by a slender margin in 2001. However, the sitting MLA Sundaram has opted to stay away from the fray this time, apparently to accommodate Mr. Ramasamy, who preferred Karaikudi to his traditional constituency Thiruvadanai as some of his stronghold areas have been merged with Karaikudi after the delimitation process.

Karaikudi is considered to be one of the keenly watched constituencies in the State as Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram hails from this area. Moreover, Mr. Ramasamy, who has achieved the distinction of having been elected to the State Assembly for the fifth time consecutively from the same constituency, is trying to continue his winning streak.

Expectedly, Mr. Chidambaram is working hard to send him to the Assembly. On his part, All India Congress Committee member Karti Chidambaram is also mustering support from people of all walks of life for Mr. Ramasamy, who is fondly called as ‘Nadamaadum Neethimandram' by his supporters, particularly in Kannangudi and Devakottai areas. He also carries the tag of ‘upright politician.'

Mr. Chidambaram has addressed party workers and public meetings to canvass votes in support of Democratic Progress Alliance candidates throughout the district. The strength of the DMK, Congress and notable welfare schemes implemented during the DMK rule is considered positive factors for Mr. Ramasamy. The campaign of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi has also boosted the morale of Congress and DMK workers.

His rival, Mr. Palanisamy, is also a familiar figure and belongs to the same community as his. He is banking on the party's strength, the rural mass, the popularity of the ‘Two Leaves' symbol, anti-incumbency factor, price rise, corruption charges against the DMK, and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam's sizeable vote bank. AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa's campaign has added to his strength. The absence of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's support is considered to be the main negative factor.

The BJP has fielded V. Chidambaram mainly to increase the party's vote bank to become an alternative force. Many leaders, including former president of the BJP Rajnath Singh and former MLA H. Raja, have addressed many meetings. The India Jananayaga Katchi has also fielded its candidate.

The main fight is between the Congress and the AIADMK. It is expected that it will be a nail-biting finish.

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