| Winning
old bastion Saidapet a matter of prestige for DMK
P. Sudhakar
Chennai,
May 5: Saidapet, the real bastion of the DMK from where party
president and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was elected to the Assembly
twice — in 1967 and 1971 — will witness an interesting
tussle between V. Perumal of the DMK and C.R. Bhaskaran of the PMK.
The electorate comprise mainly Dalits, followed by Vanniars.
Winning this
seat is a matter of prestige for the ruling DMK as the opponent
is not from the AIADMK, but from a minor ally of the AIADMK.
In the last
10 Assembly elections, from 1957 to 1996, the AIADMK has won the
seat only twice — in 1984 and 1991. And on both occasions,
it was due to a sympathy wave. In 1984, former chief minister M.G.
Ramachandran was in the United States for treatment and in 1991
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.
Initially, there
was also a rumour doing the rounds that Chennai Mayor M.K. Stalin
would contest from Saidapet with PMK president S. Ramadoss son R.
Anbumani pitted against him. But, the DMK announced sitting MLA
K. Kittu as its candidate.
Kittu withdrew his nomination on health grounds and was replaced
by V. Perumal, a trade union activist. Though Kittu has been undergoing
medical treatment for quite some time now, he was not expected to
withdraw. His supporters even staged demonstrations in Saidapet,
insisting the party revoke the decision.
A clerk in a private firm, who worked for Kittu during the last
Assembly elections, said: ‘‘Why should I work for a new
face and that too a first-timer, when the sitting MLA has ensured
implementation of all measures under the MP and MLA Constituency
Development Fund schemes. We won’t believe that Kittu was replaced
only on health grounds. Wait for some more time, we’ll show
our strength on May 10.’’
In most places, the DMK posters and banners that appeal to the Saidapet
electorate to vote for Perumal, say: ‘‘With the blessings
of Saidai Kittu...’’ And the candidate himself promises
the voters that he would continue the welfare measures and schemes
initiated by Kittu.
‘‘Though, most of the areas have basic amenities such
as road, drinking water and street lights, I’ll extend them
to the remaining parts of the constituency,’’ said Perumal.
On the contrary, Bhaskaran said most of the places in the constituency
lack basic amenities.
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