Close on the heels of MDMK leader Vaiko seeking DMK rebel leader M.K. Alagiri’s support for the Lok Sabha polls, more candidates across parties trooped to his residence on Monday to get him to back them too.
The suspended leader, Mr. Alagiri, being wooed by different parties for the clout he commands in the southern districts despite the DMK having sidelined him, is now the cynosure of all eyes as he receives more bouquets from other party leaders.
Significantly, it was the turn of the BJP’s Sivaganga candidate H. Raja on Monday to urge Mr. Alagiri’s support. He was followed by MDMK’s Theni candidate R. Azhagusundaram and Congress candidate from Madurai, Bharat Nachiyappan.
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All the leaders and candidates told media persons that given Mr. Alagiri’s influence in the southern districts, it was a gesture to meet him and seek his support.
“We know he has dedicated followers and it was just a courtesy call on him,” they asserted.
Mr. Raja said, “Our aim is to make Narendra Modi next Prime Minister … Since Mr. Alagiri had already expressed his desire and lauded Mr. Modi as a good administrator, I wanted his support,” he summed up.
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The MDMK candidate Mr. Azhagusundaram was only following his leader Mr. Vaiko, while Mr. Bharat quickly alluded to Mr. Alagiri having gone to New Delhi to thank Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, for having given him an opportunity in the Cabinet to serve the people.
But, all that a relaxed Mr. Alagiri would say was, “I will consult my supporters and then take a call on the issue.”