Double trouble for Vijayakanth in Vridhachalam

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Apr 20 (UNI) Actor-politician Vijayakanth may welcome a 'double' substituting for him on the silver screen in the real world of politics.

The actor faces a piquant situation in his new role as politician, with three independent candidates with the name Vijayakanth filing papers today for the Vridhachalam seat in this district, from where he is making his debut.

One of them even has the same initial as the actor - 'a' - adding to the confusion.

The three 'mysterious' candidates trooped into the RDO office at Vridhachalam on the last day of filing nominations today and filed their papers. While two of them belonged to this district, the third was a native of Tiruvannamalai district.

The presence of four Vijayakanths in the fray might well create confusion among voters as the actor's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) has not been alloted an election symbol so far.

DMDMK candidates will be given free symbols by the Election Commission to contest the election.

Meanwhile, a 52-year-old supporting actor in films also filed her nomination for the Vridhdhachalam seat.

Devi Jarina, said to have acted in over 50 films as a junior artiste, told reporters she had decided to contest the election in order to 'expose the true colours' of Vijayakanth.

Alleging the actor had harassed artistes like her, who switched to the silver screen from the stage, she said Vijayakanth was casteist.

Though he proclaimed on political platforms that he was against dynastic politics, he had made his wife Premalatha his dummy candidate and fielded his brother-in-law in Gudiyatham, she said.

UNI XR-AKN AD HT1810