Vendors set up shops near Dinakaran’s house

Shops had sprung up in the vicinity of Dinakaran’s residence as soon as party functionaries and MLAs started visiting him on his re-entry into politics soon after his release from prison, Though, his 60-day voluntary exile did see a dip in visitors and thereby the shops, his recent moves have brought him back to the state’s political centre stage with the number of shops also increasing proportionately.

Everything from groundnut, sundal, samosas, CDs of former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s speeches and MGR songs, shirts and dhotis in party colours and all reveal increasing sale and profits.

Sankarlal, who sells party flags, said, “I sell enough to earn up to Rs.4000 a day, but the business can vary daily but I am happy with what I earn now.” Venketesan who sells shirts earns from Rs.800 to Rs.2000 by selling up to 50 shirts daily.

Koteeswaran, who sells AIADMK related CDs, earns a profit of up to Rs.500 a day. However, they keep their fingers crossed not knowing how long their good fortune will last.