Roping in film stars during campaigning is nothing new to political parties in the State. The AIADMK is simply trying that trick in Karur Lok Sabha constituency to boost the chances of its candidate and MP M. Thambidurai who is fighting the former Minister and MP M. Chinnasamy of the DMK.
Popular actors such as Senthil, Fathima Babu, and Singamuthu have already campaigned for Mr. Thambidurai while the AIADMK camp is lining up yesteryear hero Ramarajan, villains Anandraj and Ponnambalam. C.R. Saraswathi, Vindhya, Kuyili, Gundu Kalyanam, and director R.V. Udayakumar are expected to create some ripples during their campaign later on.
Going beyond the run-of-the-mill road shows, the AIADMK has prepared an advertisement featuring Vivek detailing the various achievements of the party’s regime.
Party sources confided with The Hindu here that Mr. Thambidurai has been able to get film artistes because he happens to be the AIADMK Propaganda Secretary and in that capacity finalises the list of constituencies where the artistes will campaign.
Actors sometimes bring in variety to the campaign and at other times it would make one feel that the candidates would be better off without the artiste’s support. Though seasoned campaigners, the artistes have trouble in selling the ware in some places.
Witticism and acerbic remarks against rival candidates come naturally to Mr. Senthil and Mr. Singamuthu while seeking votes for Mr. Thambidurai. Although they admit that large crowd does not always translate into votes for the party, the AIADMK candidates do benefit from the impact on the rural and semi-urban masses, they say. The itinerary is therefore is drawn to cover areas where the rural population has something to chew for the evening.
The DMK has a few notable cine stars pitching in for Mr. Chinnasamy. Vaagai Chandrasekar and comedian Kumarimuthu are expected to do the rounds in Karur when the campaign gathers steam.
