A predominantly Muslim town that derives its name from Kadayaleeswarar, the presiding deity of the local temple, Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli district is one of the two constituencies where two Muslim parties — the Indian Union Muslim League and the Tamil Maanila Muslim League — are the heavyweights. The other is Nagapattinam.
The small town, situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats, is very secular, returning candidates from all communities to the Assembly in the past. Underlining the constituency’s importance, people here say that whichever party wins the constituency goes on to form the government.
It also has a place in the cultural and political history of the State. It is the town of both S.M. Abdul Majid, a member of the cabinets of Kamaraj and M. Bhaktavatsalam, and Venkatraman, who set to tunes many compositions, including Kurai Ondrum Illai that was popularised by M.S. Subbulakshmi.
While the entire constituency is gearing up for the election jamboree, a small agraharam of the Kariyamanickaperumal temple is treading off the beaten track, silently celebrating their annual festival. Carnatic songs emanating from a marriage hall fills the air in the narrow Brahmin settlement.
“Concerts, bhajans, citations of namavali will mark the ten day festival,” says K.G. Krishnan, former chairman of the Kadayanallur Municipality and Venkatraman’s cousin.
Majid was actually elected from Sankarankoil — Kadayanallur was part of it back then — in 1952. Subsequently, when it became a separate constituency of its own, Majid could not win the election.
“I was not able to reconcile myself to the fact the Kamaraj would be defeated and joined the Congress party,” says Mr Krishnan, who was the only Congress candidate elected as municipal chairman from Tiruneveli district in 1969.
For a Brahmin to contest elections and win is out of question, he admits. “It was a different period. Majid was also a staunch Muslim and would never miss his prayer even during busy political works. But he never had aversion for any other faith.”
Asked if the current political dynamic will affect the town’s secular fabric, former MLA Peter Alphonse says there is nothing wrong in fielding Muslim candidates since they can understand better the issues concerning the community.
“How will a candidate of a minority community enter fray if he is not given ticket in a constituency where there is a substantial presence of his community,” Mr. Alphonse asks.
