Even children are roped in to campaign in Dindigul

There is a high stake battle on the cards in Dindigul Assembly constituency. Sitting MLA from Palani Assembly segment I. P. Senthil Kumar, son of Minister I. Periyasamy, who had  been confident of retaining his seat, is now pitted against veteran AIADMK leader Dindigul Srinivasan. This sudden decision by the DMK has put Mr Senthil Kumar on a sticky wicket. 

The segment which of late is seen as an AIADMK bastion, voted for the DMK in 1996 after that for three consecutive elections – 2001, 2006 and 2011 – CPI (M) had won the seat. Sitting AIADMK MLA Dindigul Srinivasan has bagged the seat in 2016 and 2021.

Not just the DMK party workers but also family members of I Periyasamy are now using  all the arsenal in their kitty to woo the voters. 

Almost all bigwigs in the DMK party have come to campaign for Mr. Senthil Kumar, including  Ministers and even CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is expected on Friday to campaign for Mr. Senthil Kumar.

As the voting date nears, Senthil Kumar’ wife Mercy is making numerous trips across the town canvassing for votes. While his son, Senthoor Aadhavan, who has just finished 12th standard and his daughter, Oviya Meenakshi, who has finished 9th standard, go door to door canvassing for votes. Surprisingly, they seek votes not for their father but for the DMK party so that the Dravidian model of welfare continues. It is hoped that the ardent plea by the young children will tug at the hearts of the voters. 

A desperate measure, say AIADMK workers. 

But Dravidian politics has within it an element of dynastic rule. So not to be outdone, Dindigul Srinivasan is also canvassing for votes accompanied by his sons. Till date, only Edappadi K. Palaniswami has come to campaign for him and that the cadre attribute to the fact that they are confident of victory.