Pre-poll boost: 60 AIADMK workers join Balaji’s camp

While the AIADMK has deputed a team of ministers to weaken the DMK candidate V Senthil Balaji, claiming him to an unethical politician for changing camps often, the AMMK leaders want to defeat him at all costs as he has betrayed the party. But their common enemy Senthil Balaji made a twist on Thursday and surprised both the camps by inducting around 60 AIADMK functionaries from Karur, including the Pallapatti town secretary, ex-chairman of Aravakurichi town panchayat in DMK before Karur in-charge K Ponmudi.

Among the four segments going for the bypolls on May 19, the political rivalry has heated up in Aravakurichi as both AIADMK and the AMMK see the DMK candidate as their common enemy and working for ensuring his defeat. 

Subsequently, the AIADMK has deputed as many as 10 Ministers led P Thangamani and KA Sengottaiyan, while the AMMK has deputed party leaders led by P Palaniappan and Rangasamy to counter him.

It is said, the AIADMK is keen on weakening the strength of DMK candidate Senthil Balaji and has been campaigning against him on his frequent change of loyalty.

On the other hand, the AMMK leaders are asked by TTV Dhinakaran to work hard against Senthil Balaji and wanted to teach him a lesson ensuring his defeat which would probably end his political career.

However, DMK candidate Senthil Balaji is carefully planning to win the segment as it means a lot to him. Senthil Balaji is aware that a loss in the by-election would be critical for him to travel further in the political sphere.

On Thursday, he managed to rope in around 60 AIADMK functionaries into the DMK in the presence of district in-charge K Ponmudi surprising the AIADMK and the AMMK cadres.

Among them, the Pallapatti town secretary and district minority wing secretary of AIADMK Syed Ibrahim, Aravakurichi town panchayat ex-chairman Manikandan were prominent persons. 

It is said, the Pallapatti in Aravakurichi segment is dominated by minority votes and all the key political parties have been attempting to woo them. In order to get these votes, the AMMK has even fielded a candidate from the minority community.

The joining of the AIADMK men in DMK has come as a rude shock for the AMMK and ruling party which has been conducting a series of inquiries on the reason for the defection.