"All the men are for the DMK, and we women are for Amma," 80-year-old Neela told me with a smile on her face.
It was a revelation to listen to such support for 'Amma' at a place where Dayanidhi Maran was to address a meeting in a few minutes.
It was by now past 6.30 pm, but there was no sign of Dayanidhi. I sat on the roadside listening to the monotonous speeches by sundry politicians urging the people to vote for 'dear Maran.'
At 6.40 pm the place suddenly swarmed with people, all dressed as if they were going to a wedding. Vehicles came in a line, disgorging men and women.
An open jeep full of men dressed in red rushed out. On the other side of the road, a car screeched to a halt, and out came a smiling Dayanidhi Maran sporting designer clothes. He ran to the jeep and stood there and smiled at the people, which his father would never do.