Sans ‘Two Leaves’, AIADMK withers in Karnataka

The weakening of the AIADMK is likely to benefit the Congress and JD(S) as most of the Tamil voters are likely to opt for the two parties which had fielded some Tamil candidates, according to a party functionary.

Even in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) seat, thrice won by the AIADMK, the party is nowhere in the race and may end up polling just a few thousand votes, according to the functionary.

It has fielded Yuvaraj (Gandhinagar), Anbu (KGF) and RB Vishnukumar (Hanur).

The party had lost the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and is contesting on the ‘Twin Lamp Post’ symbol besides facing challenge from TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam which is expected to split the AIADMK votes.

M Bhakthavatchalam, who had won from KGF seat thrice as an AIADMK candidate, is the JD(S) nominee now and the fight is between him and the BJP which had won the seat in the last two polls.

In the 1972 and 1978 Assembly polls, RPI candidate CM Arumugam had won from KGF. The AIADMK tasted its first success in 1983 when party founder MGR fielded M Bhakthavatchalam. He won in 1989 and 1999 under the leadership of J Jayalalithaa.

Though the BJP won the seat for the last two terms, the AIADMK was in the fray. The RPI, a Dalit outfit, had also won the seat thrice and continues to wield influence.

Besides KGF, Tamils reside in sizeable numbers in Gandhinagar, Sivaji Nagar, Rajaji Nagar, Shanthi Nagar, Pulikesi Nagar and CV Raman Nagar in Bengaluru. But, according to the assessment of AIADMK insiders who were in touch with the Karnataka campaign, a majority of Tamils are likely to go with the Congress in Bengaluru city due to the influence of Mayor Sampathraj, a Tamilian.