Political leaders contesting from the southern districts vie with each other to get the support of expelled DMK leader M.K. Alagiri to improve their prospects in the Lok Sabha polls. When asked, why the Congress, a former ally, should shy away from seeking his support, Mr. Chidambaram said in Karaikudi, “We have not asked for any support, but if Mr. Alagiri offered support, why should we say no.” It was interesting to note that BJP nominee H. Raja, taking on his son Karti Chidambaram in Sivaganga, had already called on Mr. Alagiri at the latter’s residence in Madurai and sought his support.
D.J. Walter Scott
Kejriwal’s play with Tamil
When leading political parties are out on the streets campaigning hard, the Aam Aadmi Party has taken the media route in the State. AAP has got its chief Arvind Kejriwal to speak in Tamil and the 30-second footage is being widely circulated in social media and aired on FM channels. ‘Vanakkam, nan ungal Arvind Kejriwal pesukiren,’ is making people listen with interest. O.B. Ramasubramanian, a member of campaign committee of the AAP says, “In the likelihood of Kejriwal not coming here for campaigning, we believe his speech in Tamil will have a positive impact on the voters.”
R. Sivaraman
Mother’s choice
As the adage goes, the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. With VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, re-contesting from Chidambaram, it meant much more. Hard pressed to choose an apt symbol from the EC’s list of free symbols he turned to his mother Periammal. She chose the ‘ring’ symbol which he promptly gave to the poll authorities.
