Dravidian majors mute partners keeping poll arithmetic in mind

The BJP and PMK are missing in action in the AIADMK camp while the Congress and VCK are nowhere to be seen in DMK drives. 

BJP, the senior ally of the NDA is totally absent. Not even the flags are visible in the specific locations from which the AIADMK leaders speak. Initially, even NDA candidate AC Shanmugam had prevailed upon the AIADMK leaders to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address at least one meeting in the constituency. 

“We felt that if the PM decided to visit nearby Kancheepuram for a darshan of Aththi Varadhar he could be invited for the poll campaign. But, as he did not come to Kancheepuram, the chances of his visiting Vellore are remote now,” said a senior AIADMK functionary seeking anonymity.

Party top brass accept that the real reason why the BJP is maintaining a low profile is not to endanger the sizeable minority vote which is said to be around 3.50 lakh in Vellore, Ambur, Gudiyattam and Vaniyambadi Assembly constituencies in Vellore Parliamentary constituency’s electorate of slightly more than 14 lakh. 

Similarly, the PMK is also asked to keep low – other than an occasional meeting addressed by PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss – in a bid to consolidate the SC vote, who traditionally choose the Two Leaves symbol from former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran days.

In the DMK too, the Congress is absent. Local party men, when asked on it, replied sarcastically, “Where is the cadre for that party?” Even TNCC president KS Alagiri who turned up in Vellore a week ago, came to ensure that former MLA Wallajah Hassan, who had filed his nomination, withdrew from the arena. Hassan obliged and Alagiri after acknowledging this to the press went back to Chennai without campaigning.

The VCK too is told to keep off as the DMK did not want them to alienate the Vanniyar vote – candidate Kathir Anand is from that community – which could turn against them if the VCK is seen to be cosying with the DMK.