It is probably one of the few constituencies in the State which is witnessing a tri-cornered contest such as the Congress, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-backed Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The arithmetic calculation of DMK and AIADMK-led alliances has almost lost the relevance as far as Ramanathapuram constituency is concerned apparently owing to the selection of candidates by the two major fronts. The Congress has nominated its sitting MLA K. Hasan Ali. The founder-leader of MMK M.H. Jawahirullah is pitted against him. The BJP has fielded its former district president of its party, D. Kannan.
Though the population of Muslims is considered as minority among the total voters of the constituency, it is perceived that a major party that fields a Muslim candidate can win the election as he or she gets the total support of the minority votes as well as of the party and its sympathisers.
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The peculiar aspect of this election is that candidates from the Congress, the MMK and the Indian National League are all Muslims, besides another Muslim candidate from the Democratic Socialist Party causing confusion among the voters, particularly among Muslims.
Mr. Ali, who hails from Kilakarai, believes that since he is ‘attached' to the constituency, he can get most of the support. He also banks on the support of various Jamaaths. Though there is anger among voters that he has not delivered goods during the last five years, his supporters expect that his image of “trouble-free politician” will get votes from all sections of people. His supporters believe that the secular credentials of the Congress and the DMK will fetch traditional votes from Muslims, Christians and the Hindus. But he has to fight the anti-incumbency and discomfiture among a section of party volunteers.
On the other hand, Mr. Jawahirullah of Chennai banks on the support of AIADMK which has a strong vote bank, besides that of Vijaykant's DMDK, CPI (M), the CPI and other alliance partners. He has the full support of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, a parent organisation of MMK.
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Mr. Jawahirullah, who is known for oratorical skills to woo Muslim young blood, believes that his contribution to the protection and welfare of the community would fetch votes. He is also making concerted efforts to woo the support of all people, including the jamaaths. His camp thinks that if he can corner the AIADMK sympathisers' votes, he can touch the winning rope.
The BJP is trying to mobilise the support of the majority community. The grouse of many people is that they had been neglected by the major parties by choosing minority candidates over a majority-dominant community member for so long. It has taken all-out efforts to muster support in all areas. Many VIPs, including its national president Nitin Gadkari, canvassed votes for its candidate Kannan. They believe that he can spring a surprise. Rich in natural resources, including the pristine beaches in the Gulf of Mannar, thus ideally making it a hub for tourism, voters feel the potential has not been harnessed at all. Though the temple town of Rameswaram attracts a number of pilgrims from all over the country, it lacks in many aspects.
Industries are few and do not provide large-scale employment. Though a few gas-based power plants have come up in the recent past, local entrepreneurs feel that the available natural gas potential is not being properly utilised. Fishing is the main industry here, and yet it is plagued by challenges such as dwindling marine resources, overexploitation, and frequent firing by Sri Lankan forces.
It is expected that the candidate who gets the majority of support in Rameswaram will taste success.