They come from different parts of the city — two from Vyasarpadi, and the others from Gopalapuram, Manali and Triplicane — but what unites five Independent candidates in the R.K. Nagar byelection is that they have the same name as two prominent candidates.
There are three other “Dhinakarans” apart from T.T.V. in the final list of 59 candidates. On the ballot, Dinakaran K., Thinakaran G. and Dinakaran M. appear ahead of the former AIADMK deputy general secretary.
The two who share their names with the AIADMK candidate on the ballot — Madhusudanan S. and Madhusudanan R. — appear much below E. Madhusudhanan owing to the former minister being from a recognised political party. Due to the long list of candidates, the Election Commission will use four ballots together to accommodate all names.
Madhusudanan S. has even managed to secure the electoral symbol of the current AIADMK candidate in the cancelled byelection, the electric pole.
The O. Panneerselvam-led faction had opted for the electric pole symbol for Madhusudhanan E. as they felt it closely resembled the two leaves symbol. “I am contesting because I am against the ruling party,” said Madhusudanan S. “People are not fools,” he said. Mr. Madhusudanan was not forthcoming about his reasons for choosing the electric pole symbol. “I had requested the same symbol last time too, but it was turned down,” he said.
‘No political affiliation’
This correspondent spoke to four of the five who shared the names of the two candidates.
Though all of them claimed to have no political affiliation, some were acutely aware of the way in which they could influence a closely-fought election.
All four had also tried to contest in the byelection earlier this year, but had never contested in an election before that. They maintained that they will campaign in earnest this election.
Madhusudanan R. admitted that his name could end up helping him. “I tried to contest earlier this year, but my nomination was rejected. I thought I will get some votes because of the AIADMK candidate’s name,” he chuckled.
Thinakaran G. said that his decision was independent of his name. “I thought I will contest for the sheer experience of it. My decision had nothing to do with my name,” he said.
Dinakaran M.’s nomination was rejected earlier this year.
“I do not like T.T.V. Dhinakaran, so I want to spoil his chances by contesting,” he said. After his nomination was rejected on a technicality last time, Mr. Dinakaran was careful not to make any errors. “I was like [actor] Vishal last time; but this time, I came out looking good,” he said.
Dinakaran K. could not be reached for comments.
Making news
Puspa P. is the only woman among 59 candidates but she is not even in the mood to contest. “I am not campaigning this election. I contested for the first time in the cancelled byelection and did some campaigning. This time, I am doing it because it makes me feel good to be part of this process,” said the Tondiarpet resident.
Electors in R.K. Nagar can be excused for being surprised when going through their ballot: the eighth candidate bears a stark similarity to former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. P. Sakkaravarthy, whose position on the ballot is owing to his All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam being a registered political party, grooms himself to look like MGR.
“This is not a get-up, this is all natural,” he said, pulling his hair to prove that it was not a wig. Mr. Sakkaravarthy said that he was an AIADMK member for 25 years. “I left because I did not like the party’s reliance on Jayalalithaa,” he said.
