The iron man image and clout of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's regional satrap Veerapandi S Arumugam is proving to be a major hurdle for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the mango city of Salem, which is otherwise a citadel of the ruling party.
Arumugam, contesting in Salem-2, has a firm grip over the party in Salem district and commands the respect of not only the DMK partymen but also the public.
Most shops and business establishments run by the DMK workers bear his name.
The AIADMK has fielded Salem Mayor R Sureshkumar, who is banking on the charisma of party supremo Jayalalithaa and the "two leaves magic" to see him through.
"Arumugam is leading the party in a relatively weaker region for the DMK. It is not an easy task. He has faced many tough situations and battles to protect the party here in times of crisis. Our cadres are working day and night to ensure victory for their beloved leader," DMK district deputy secretary M R Sivalingam said.
Being one of the major cities in the state, Salem can boast of having public sector SAIL's lone manufacturing unit.
Salem, where the late C Rajagopalachari started his public life as its civic chief, has its own share of civic problems, ranging from drinking water to drainage.
Arumugam has promised to create an underground drainage system covering the city.
He says Salem will be completely modernised and underground electric cables would be laid. The city has a large number of handlooms and Arumugam has promised to set up a textile park, besides an IT park in Salem.
Arumugam has also claimed credit for persuading Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to concede to the long pending demand of creating a separate railway division headquartered in Salem.
Another major poll promise of Arumugam is conversion of Salem Steel Plant, which is now only a rerolling mill, into an integrated steel plant.
DMK workers contend that Arumugam will be able to fulfill his poll promises, since the party is a partner in the central government.
Undaunted by the challenge posed by Arumugam, AIADMK cadres are working hard in a planned and co-ordinated way.
Admitting that Arumugam has considerable clout and influence in Salem, AIADMK workers argue that the district has been a fortress of the party ever since M G Ramachandran founded it in 1972.
