The bonhomie was always there. And the bond strengthened further when DMDK president Vijayakant visited the ancestral home of MDMK general secretary Vaiko at Kalingapatti on Wednesday.
Into the second phase of campaigning, Mr. Vijayakant landed at Mr. Vaiko’s house at Kalingapatti, a place known for according warm reception even to strangers, at 4.10 p.m.
Accompanied by his brother V. Ravichandran, popularly known as ‘Ravi annaachi’ here, Mr. Vaiko received the DMDK leader at the entrance of the house with a garland.
After removing the shoes, the DMDK leader sought the blessings of V. Mariammal, Mr. Vaiko’s 92-year-old mother, and then was introduced to the family members.
For a second, he glimpsed the huge photograph in the hall in which Mr. Vaiko was posing with LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabakaran.
When the family members, led by Renuka Devi Vaiko, served hot dosa, vada with coconut and tomato chutney, halwa and filter coffee, Mr. Vijayakant was visibly moved. And, he relished the food.
Discussion
The two leaders then had a discussion for about 15 minutes in another room.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had come to the house in April 2006 during the election campaign along with her confidante N. Sasikala.
Recalling Ms. Jayalalithaa’s visit to his house, Mr. Vaiko told Mr. Vijayakant that great leaders including K. Kamaraj, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar and Omanthur Ramasamy Reddiar had visited his house as his father, the late Vaiyapuri, was a staunch Congress supporter.
Before leaving the house after an hour-long stay, Mr. Vijayakant said: “I am a great fan of Mr. Vaiko and this bond has strengthened further today.”
