Most of the segments have witnessed desertions due to poor response from the cadre

as well it is said, Tiruchy, the central part of the state used to buzz with political activities whenever the elections are announced. There use to be political meetings, conferences and convergence of leaders seeking votes soon after the announcement of every election. However, this time, the festivity is almost missing and the arch- rivals AIADMK and DMK who used to work like anything during the elections have been appearing idle.

Among the six constituencies, the DMK is contesting only in two segments- Thanjavur (SS Palanimanickam) and Myiladuthurai (S Ramalingam), while the AIADMK candidates are contesting

in four segments- Nagapattinam (Saravanan), Myiladuthurai (Asaimani), Karur (M Thambidurai) and Perambalur (NR Sivapathi). 

“Probably, the campaign spirit is lost since the arch rivals contest in limited segments. The AIADMK is facing the DMK only in Myiladuthurai and this would have resulted in the cadre staying away from active campaigning,” R Chinnathambi, a senior cadre from a political party said. 

Meanwhile, political observers claim that the factional feud is visible in the AIADMK post Jayalalithaa and this has kept the cadre aloof. They opt not to work for the candidates, who does not belong to their particular faction. 

Similarly, for Dr Ilangovan, the DMDK candidate in Tiruchy, the support of alliance parties are said to be almost absent for his ‘outsider’ tag and the cadre have been showing least interest to work for him. It is visible on Saturday during the candidate introduction meeting held by the AIADMK alliance. Similar is the situation with Congress candidate Su Thirunavukkarasar, who has planned to hold meetings and visiting the alliance party leaders from Sunday. 

However, the AMMK candidate for Tiruchy, Sarubala R Thondaiman, who has not even got the symbol has been continuing her campaign in the city and meeting the people. It is said, the party would get their symbol only on March 25, but still, she has been seeking votes for herself.

In the meantime, the TMC cadre in Thanjavur has been fuming that the alliance partners hardly show interest in the campaign for their candidate NR Natarajan. They have reportedly appealed to their party president GK Vasan to mobilise the cadre from the alliance parties to work for the candidate in Thanjavur, where the DMK heavyweight SS Palanimanickam has been contesting.

While the nomination filing is yet to get over by Tuesday (March 26), the central region is awaiting for the active political campaigning which it had witnessed once. However, the political observers said that the campaign would peak only after the filing of nominations is over.