Chennai
The popularity and support base enjoyed by Manian (AIADMK), Rajendran (Congress) and Vedarathinam (BJP) in Vedaranyam have made the battle for ballots all the more interesting. Since 1977, DMK has won this seat five times and while the Congress and AIADMK two times each. In 1996, 2001 and 2006 elections, the present BJP nominee SK Vedarathinam won on DMK ticket.
In 2006, it was a two-cornered fight between OS Manian and Vedarathinam, in which the latter emerged victorious. However, he left DMK in 2011 and it remains to be seen whether his loyal vote bank is intact.
In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, OS Manian defeated Congress heavyweight and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar in the nearby Mayiladuthurai constituency. No wonder then, AIADMK high command opted for him over the sitting MLA V Kamaraj and the Thethakudi North Panchayat president R Giridharan, who was initially announced as the candidate.
Whereas, Congress’ Rajendran, besides serving as Vedaranyam MLA for two terms, won the 1996 Lok Sabha polls as TMC nominee from Mayiladuthurai constituency defeating Aiyar.
Though DMDK’s candidate advocate Vairanathan and PMK’s district women wing secretary Usha Kannan are also in the fray, the actual competition is only between the veterans.
OS Manian, AIADMK
The 61-year-old former Mayiladuthurai MP is originally from Nagapattinam district. Though he unsuccesfully contested from Vedaranyam in 2006 Assembly poll, he emerged winner in 2009 Lok Sabha elections defeating Congress’ Mani Shankar Aiyar.
PV Rajendran, Congress
Congress cannot have better bet for Vedaranyam than PV Rajendran, who has won from here twice already. However, all this happened before 2000 and the new age voters may not be familar with his glorious past. The combined CongDMK support may work in his favour.
SK Vedarathinam, BJP
After switching loyalty to BJP, Vedarathinam is facing the Assembly election for the first time. If his previous loyal vote bank decides to choose him irrespective of which party he is in, he will be a big trouble for the other senior candidates in fray.
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