The month of May is crucial every year because of Plus Two examination results. But this year it has another significance too as Lok Sabha election results will be declared this month.
Interestingly both the results will come out on a Friday. While the State board Plus Two results will be out on May 9, the counting of votes will be taken up on May 16. So, this month has two fate-deciding Fridays — for students who are waiting for their examination results and candidates of political parties waiting for counting of votes.
In Madurai Lok Sabha constituency, 31 candidates, including a transgender, are waiting with bated breath. It is a long wait for them since the election was over on April 24 itself and the 1,476 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being guarded on the Madurai Medical College premises, the counting centre.
For the voters too, these are days of intense suspense owing to the long gap between voting and counting days. AIADMK candidate R.Gopalakrishnan (42) has become more pious and philosophical these days. “Immediately after the voting on April 24, I went to Tiruchendur temple and my entire family has stopped having non-vegetarian food. While continuing with routine party work and doing booth-wise post-poll analysis of our constituency, I am focusing more on prayers and temples,” he said.
Mr.Gopalakrishnan says he was not worried about victory or defeat and believes that God will give him what he is destined to receive. Before the counting day, he wants to take his children for a holiday.
Same is the case with god-fearing DMDK candidate D. Sivamuthukumar, who is a regular to Sonai Muthiah Temple in Usilampatti.
“This is a huge suspense for me. I am waiting for good results. Till the counting day, I will be visiting Sai Baba Temple at Sholavandan. There is no proper sleep for me, but I have started party work again,” he says.
For 53-year-old CPI(M) candidate B.Vikraman, the long wait is “usual and casual” and he is busy with party work as district secretary. “I was busy with May Day arrangements and elections are just a part of my political life. Of course, I am looking for time to go to friends’ places with my wife, son and daughter, if time permits. They too canvassed for me in their friends’ circle. There is no tension for me,” Mr.Vikraman said.
Chartered Accountant M. Kamacis, the Aam Aadmi Party candidate, is back at his job after missing about two-month work. “Ever since March 28 when my name was announced as the Madurai candidate, I started campaigning. My clients waited for me to come back from electioneering and I am now at my office in Vasantha Nagar to clear the pending work,” he said.
Mr. Kamacis is frequenting Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple with his family to overcome anxiety.
Transgender Bharathi Kannamma who contested this parliament election is not worried about result but confident that the votes she secured will make political parties look at her with seriousness.
“I came to know that many voters opted for me. This is a good experience and till counting day I will be visiting temples. On May 12 and 13, I will be at Koothandavar temple festival which is important for our community,” she said.
Despite several attempts, DMK candidate V. Velusamy could not be reached.While the candidates eagerly wait for the EVMs to be opened on May 16, there are 37,000 Plus Two students of 264 schools in Madurai district who are waiting for May 9.
