Chasing Vijayakanth
K Balakumar, a college educated 40-year-old who is the DMDK's Vridhachalam town unit president, had been a member of the Vijayakanath fan club from 1986 but his political affiliation was with the PMK, as he was a Vanniyar (The PMK was formed as a party of Vanniyars).
"I have gone to jail five times for the party. The party founder had told us that he would never participate in any government but he is now in the government," said Balakumar.
Balakumar said Vijayakanth's sincerity and honesty attracted him. "He sold his own property to be in politics while others are in politics to make money. He is in politics to serve people."
He stressed that there are lakhs of Balakumars like him in Tamil Nadu, who are disappointed with the present set of politicians and are attracted to Vijayakanth.
All the young men at the hospital -- all in their twenties -- told me that they were with Vijayakanth because they felt he would do something for the people.
Balakumar also said that 41 per cent of Vridhachalam's population is made up of of Vanniyars, and 35 per cent of them are expected to vote for Vijayakanth.
Most of the Dalits in the area -- 29 per cent of the total population -- would go with the AIADMK as Thirumalvalavan's Dalit Panthers of India is with the AIADMK alliance.
Also See: Weaving a sorry tale in Kancheepuram