MDMK may cut into DMK vote in Kovai

By G. Satyamurty

COIMBATORE, APRIL 18. Though the MDMK may find the going tough in Coimbatore district in the face of formidable AIADMK and DMK alliances, it is certain to cut into the vote bank of its parent organisation.

The MDMK has decided to contest in 13 of the 15 constituencies (except Coimbatore East and Tirupur where the BJP is contesting).

In the 1996 elections, the MDMK, fighting its first elections after coming into being following the split in the DMK in 1993, had secured as much as 1.7 lakh votes in alliance with the CPI(M).

The impact of the MDMK on the DMK is likely to be severe, especially when there is a triangular contests involving the AIADMK, DMK and the MDMK. Such contests are likely at Mettupalaym, Udamalpet, Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Perur and Palladam (all rural segments). The MDMK has a significant presence in the local bodies in Thondamuthur and Mettupalayam belts.

Mr. R. T. Mariappan, the district secretary of the MDMK, is contesting for the seventh time. A popular figure in Udamalpet, he had secured more than 14,000 votes in 1996. The DMK is fielding its sitting MLA, Mr. D. Selvaraj, who would have to face the ``anti-incumbency'' syndrome.

In Pollachi, the anti-incumbency factor against Mr. S. Raju has been so strong that the DMK was forced to allot this seat to his son, Mr. R. Tamilmani. The MDMK candidate is none other than the former DMK functionary, Dr. A. Varadharajan, who defected to the MDMK only couple of days ago.

In Kinathukadavu, the MDMK candidate, Mr. Kattampatty Kandasamy, is a well known figure, and is pitted against the sitting DMK MLA, Mr. M. Shanmugham. Mr. Negamam Kandasamy, former AIADMK MLA, who defected to DMK but not given the seat, has announced that he would contest as an independent.

In Perur, the sitting DMK MLA and trade union leader, Mr. A. Natarajan, has been denied ticket which has caused some resentment among the partymen.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Cadres up in arms
Next     : MDMK releases second list