A pattern in the choice of DMDK leader Vijayakant’s constituencies is slowly emerging.
After Vriddhachalam in 2006, Mr. Vijayakant moved to the neighbouring Rishivandhiyam in 2011. On Monday, the party announced that he would contest from Ulundurpet, hardly a few km from Rishivandhiyam.
While DMDK cadres strongly disagree, this move seems to be well thought out. Across Rishivandhiyam, voters expressed their displeasure in the way Mr. Vijayakant had functioned as their MLA over the last five years, with many complaining about his absence from the constituency.
Villupuram district has been considered the core base of the DMDK. Old timers here claim that for long the Kallakurichi-Ulundurpet-Villupuram belt was the yardstick for ascertaining the success of Mr. Vijayakant’s movies.
“If it was Madurai and Tiruchi for Rajinikanth, it was Villupuram for Mr. Vijayakant,” says Muthu, a cab driver.
Chellamuthu in Lalapet near Rishivandhiyam, a fan of Mr. Vijayakant, says the response to his films in this area was perhaps the reason he chose Villupuram district over his home town of Madurai. “While mothers love all their children, some children are loved more. Likewise, we were lucky here to receive the love of Captain,” he says melodramatically.
But nonpartisan voters are not convinced. In Rishivandhiyam, The Hindu encountered almost identical responses across different areas of the constituency where people complained about the complete lack of Mr. Vijayakant’s presence.
In the heart of the small town, only the board announcing “Captain’s Computer Training Centre” remains. Layers of dust on the board are indicative of how dysfunctional it has been. The small building now has a tea shop and a restaurant.
“He hardly came thrice over the last five years. He usually goes to the DMDK office near Pagadai Koot Road and leaves. While that area is also under this constituency, the party should remember that it is not the only area,” says Kothandapani.
In Manalurpettai, a bus shelter built from the MLA constituency development funds prominently displays Mr.Vijayakant’s name. But, buses do not stop in this four-way junction.
“Any other party would have protested in a big way if something their leader built is not utilised. But despite months, nothing has happened here,” says Murugan, who sells lime soda on a pushcart right next to the shelter.
In fact, it takes some effort to identify if Rishivandhiyam is indeed Mr. Vijayakant’s territory as the DMDK symbol, ‘Murasu,’ does not find a place on walls of houses here. On the other hand, the ‘Two Leaves,’ the ‘Rising Sun’ and the ‘Mango’ symbols dominate the walls here.
As she gazes at the vast dry fields near Madamatti, Rani, a mother of two, rues the utter lack of employment opportunities in the area. Her husband goes as far as Perambalur to work in sugarcane fields. “We know he [Mr. Vijayakant] went against the ruling party and so not much has happened here. But, we don’t know why he did not go to the Assembly to raise his voice for us,” she says, holding an evening daily in her hand.
The tiff with the ruling party was perhaps the most important justification given by DMDK supporters for the lack of any concrete development in the area. “Media always blames our leader and supports the ruling party. Were we in power? Why don’t you go ask Jayalalithaa this question,” asks a visibly upset Murugan, when asked about the unfulfilled promise of building an efficient hospital in the area.
He lists a number of achievements, including construction of land bridges in the area as important promises kept by the DMDK. “He [Mr. Vijayakant] has done all these things against all odds,” Murugan points out.
A striking aspect though was the support for Mr. Vijayakant’s wife Premalatha in the constituency. Many women felt she would be the ideal candidate given her “courage and articulation,” something that echoed in Ulundurpet as well. There was also more support for Mr. Vijayakant among non-Vanniyar OBCs such as Udayars and Naidus in the area, who form a substantial vote base.
The VCK joining the DMDK front has also helped to attract the attention of Dalits, who have, in the recent past, voted for the AIADMK in large numbers.
