DMK hopes to win Assembly by-poll, though with reduced margin

Madurai, Oct 10: Raising passions and political rivalry to a new high, the dominant Dravidian parties, the ruling DMK and rival AIADMK, are locking horns in a pitched battle for Madurai Central Assembly constituency, with a display of money and muscle power.

The contest has become a prestige issue for both as the verdict of tomorrow's by-poll is being seen as a referendum on the five-month-old Karunanidhi Government. As such, it has turned out to be a fight between the victor and the vanquished in the Assembly elections: Karunanidhi, basking in the glory of his 'achievements' and Jayalalithaa, refusing to digest defeat and relishing in calling the Government a minority one.

The DMK, highlighting the Government's 'achievements.' relies heavily on the 'formidable and unassailable' alliance, bolstered by the entry of Thol. Thirumavalavan's Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), while the AIADMK, despite an alliance with the MDMK, banks on the charisma of 'Amma'.

Though there are 19 candidates in the fray, it is a triangular contest with film-star Vijaykant's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) also dropping its hat into the ring. The DMK's S S Ghouse Basha remains a front-runner in the race followed by AIADMK's V V Rajan Chellappa and the DMDK's M R Pannerselvam.

In the opinion of observers, the DMK continues to enjoy a lead over its arch rival in the constituency, represented by party stalwart and 'gentleman-politician' P T R Palanivel Rajan, whose death on May 20, a day after he assumed office as Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister, necessitated the by-poll.

Having secured the ticket for his follower Bhasha by reportedly scuttling the chances of the PTR family, M K Azhagiri, the Madurai-based son of the Chief Minister, has taken charge and has personally steered the campaign. This galvanised the well-oiled party machinery, making even reluctant functionaries engage in electioneering.

The Muslim community has a strong presence in the constituency with a 1.32 lakh-stong electorate, making Basha's prospects bright.

The DPI joining the DMK-led DPA is a shot in the arm as there is a sizeable Dalit vote bank, concentrated in the constituency.

AIADMK strongman T T V Dinakaran is coordinating the party campaign, which has to swallow the open defiance of its legislator in adjoining Madurai West S V Shanmugham singing paeans to the DMK.

Despite the flight of a few lower-rung functionaries to the rival camp, he has been able to put up a brave show. Being the party's Urban District Secretary, Chellappa has the additional burden of looking after the AIADMK's campaign for the civic elections. Though he is confident of securing the votes of the dominant Thevar community to which he belongs, caste does not seem to be a major factor in the game.

Unfazed by the clash of Titans, the DMDK carried out its campaign spearheaded by party president Vijaykant, who has struck an emotional chord with the youth. Though both the DMK and AIADMK were the target of his attack, the severity was more on the ruling party.

The DMDK candidate, M R Pannerselvam, a Yadav, appears to have an edge over his rivals among the community voters.

Countering effectively the caste arithmetic, the DMK has unleashed a silent campaign among the Thevars and Yadavs, through Ministers belonging to the respective communities, which seems to be working to the advantage of the ruling party.

As the campaign reached its peak, both fronts traded charges accusing each other of distributing money to entice voters and then engaged in violence. A former AIADMK minister, Madhusoodhanan, was roughed up and reportedly paraded half naked to the police station. Police have filed cases against 40 AIADMK workers, including some former Ministers, and 54 DMK men in poll-related offences.

Acting tough, the Election Commission, dissatisfied with police in taking action on the perpetrators of violence and other malpractices, ordered the transfer of City Police Commissioner M Chidambarasamy. Following apprehensions of a free and fair poll, Deputy Election Commissioner made an on the spot study yesterday and forwarded his report to the EC. Three companies of para-military forces have been deployed for election and security duty as all 154 polling stations in the constituency have been declared sensitive.

UNI