THANJAVUR: Cine stars and ‘Patti Mandram’ (public forum) speakers have lent colour to a renewed campaign by political parties in Thanjavur, where the Election Commission (EC) postponed the polls to May 23.
Both the DMK and AIADMK candidates now have the benefit of a few more days of extra campaigning. They have earnestly re-started their election campaign here since Tuesday, notwithstanding the serious charges levelled by EC on influence of money power in the constituency.
While DMK’s poplar orator at ‘Patti Mandrams’, Dindigul I Leoni campaigned for the DMK’s new woman face from Thanjavur, Ms Anjugam Bhoopathy,
Patti Mandram Speaker Dindigul I.Leoni campaigned for DMK candidate Anjugam Bhoopathy, the AIADMK did not lag behind either by reinforcing its campaign with another popular local leader, the woman Thanjavur mayor, Ms Savithri Gopal.
Leoni, who has been playing the role of judge in a Patti Mandrams, came with a ‘judgment’ during his poll campaign. “It has become certain that DMK will form the Government,” he said.
The AIADMK has announced in the poll manifesto that it will give free cellular phones. “But if you dial in that phone to the present Chief Minister, you will get only “not reachable”.
“She remained not reachable for the past five years” Leoni said and added that DMK president M. Karunanidhi was always “reachable”, to peels of laughter from the wayside crowds.
Leoni campaigned in an open Jeep along with the candidate at Palli Agraharam, Karanthai, Thanjavur town area and Manambuchavadi. The DMK workers accompanied Dindigul Leoni in a two-wheeler rally.
The AIADMK candidate M. Rangaswamy re-started his poll campaign on Wednesday. He went in open jeep along with Savithiri Gopal, mayor of Thanjavur and sought the support of the people in Karanthai and other places in Thanjavur town. Referring to incomplete infrastructure projects in Thanjavur town, including an over-bridge, Rangaswamy, the sitting MLA, told the voters, “I need your support for continuing the good work taken by the AIADMK government.”
Voters of Thanjavur constituency who heaved a sigh of relief on May 14, when campaign ended and prepared for voting on May 16 only to be disappointed by the postponement of polling to May 23, speak in hush-hush voice that they have to put up with a grueling campaign for a couple of days more. With enthusiasm evaporating due to postponement, polling on May 23 is going to become a ritual. But candidate who is going to win will be surely known as voters, particularly fence sitters, may go with the tide with the rest of Tamil Nadu with announcement of poll results on Thursday
Many voters working outside Thanjavur but have votes here came to Thanjavur on May 16 with the fond hope of voting returned disappointed. They may or may not come on May 23, regretted a section of voters, whose relatives are voters in Thanjavur but work outside the temple town.
