CHENNAI: The rhythmic drumbeats and the waving of flags set the poll mood on V M Street in Royapettah in Chennai on Thursday evening. The blaring speakers continued to keep the crowd engaged as the singers of a live orchestra belted out popular MGR numbers and songs hailing ‘Dr Ayya’ and his party’s ‘mango’ symbol. The middle-class-dominated neighbourhood in Chepauk-Triplicane constituency waited for its date with PMK founder S Ramadoss.
At 6.05pm, the white car arrived to a warm reception with supporter on either side showering petals. A physician by his side, senior Ramadoss, wearing a mask, preferred to stay inside his vehicle and address supporters. “I am unable to come out. I just had my first dose of vaccine. I will meet you all during my next visit in a month for the victory celebrations. I have been told to speak from inside the car. Anbumani’s (his son) order,” the PMK leader said. The physician’s advice to him was not to roll down even the car window.
A cadre held up a plastic mango from the rear side of his vehicle, while party candidate AVA Kassali was holding up a real mango from his campaign vehicle. The DMK has fielded Udhayanidhi Stalin in the constituency.
The PMK leader avoided speaking about the vanniyar quota issue and total prohibition in his 20-minute speech. “He got the vanniyar quota for political gains when it could have been done amicably for all sections,” M Kanthan, a bystander said. Standing nearby, A Manikandan, a trader, expressed disappointment that the PMK leader did not talk about the 10.5% quota in his first political event in Chennai. Continuing to address the crowd, Ramadoss quoted Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. A group of women was busy chatting. They had been ‘brought’ to the venue by a local functionary.
Chepauk-Triplicane is a bastion of the DMK and erstwhile Chepauk was represented by former chief minister M Karunanidhi thrice. “Karunanidhi was MLA several times here. Did he do anything constructive for the livelihood and welfare of minorities? He didn’t,” Ramadoss said, recalling the PMK’s promises that included piped water supply, free hostel for youngsters seeking jobs, free bus transport for women, children and elders.
Accusing the former CM M Karunanidhi and his son, DMK chief M K Stalin of doing little to clean up Cooum river and creating ‘Singara Chennai,’ Ramadoss said EPS should return to power since there were no charges against him. The incumbent was working for the welfare of people every day, he said.