Coimbatore: An AIADMK loyalist from Coimbatore celebrated the victory of his political icon J. Jayalalithaa being sworn in as Chief Minister of the state for the sixth time on Monday by offering a highly subsidised ‘One Rupee ride’ to passengers for any destination in city.
Surprise was in store for passengers, who boarded the auto of RM Madhivanan, aged 61 from SIHS Colony as he charged a mere Rs 1 for all the rides from 6 am to 6 pm. A grass-root party worker, Madhivanan had earned Rs 102 covering a painstaking 150 kilometers ferrying passengers for just a rupee per ride.
“Just like Amma’s pro-poor schemes, I decided to dedicate a day for the benefit of my passengers by charging a low fare. People lined up to travel on seeing stickers around my auto announcing the offer ride for '1, covering any distance in the city limits,” he said.
Indeed, it turned out to be a very busy day for Madhivanan, who had to forego his break fast and lunch as there was a steady stream of passengers. Hailing from a modest family background, Madhivanan used to celebrate every time when the AIADMK comes to power by distributing sweets and firing crackers.
“On May 19, I distributed 300 ‘laddus’ to people in my colony and to passengers boarding my auto,” he said adding, “From the days of MGR, I am an AIADMK loyalist. Today, I believe that it has been a special moment as ‘Amma’ has become Chief Minister for the sixth time,” he said.
Madhivanan, who earns a living by driving auto over the last four decades, had spent Rs 600 from his pocket to implement his special offer. Ask him, if he has any expectations from the newly formed government and pat comes the reply, “Amma would give us more than what we expect.” Even on other days, Madhivanan claims that he adheres to the meter fare system fixed by the government and does not over charge his passengers.
